False Blackfin Coralgoby, Paragobiodon kasaii Suzuki & Randall 2011
Other Names: Kasai-darumahaze
Summary:
A pale reddish-yellow to yellowish coral goby with black dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Small individuals may have pale median fins.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2023, Paragobiodon kasaii in Fishes of Australia, accessed 30 Apr 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5254
False Blackfin Coralgoby, Paragobiodon kasaii Suzuki & Randall 2011
More Info
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Distribution |
Lizard Lsland area, northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Elsewhere the species occurs in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and Palau. This species is commensal in branching corals, especially Pocillopora eydouxi, in bays at the reef edge, or on the reef slope at depths of 2–16 m. The species also occurs in the branching coral, Stylophora pistillata. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin VI + I, 9; Anal fin I,8; Pectoral fin 19-22; Pelvic fin I,5; Caudal fin branched rays 8-9 + 7-8, segmented caudal rays 9+8; Scales in longitudinal series on body 23-25, last scale overlapping end of hypural plate; Transverse scale rows 7-8; Predorsal scales 0; Vertebrae 10+16=26. Origin of first dorsal fin posterior to the upper pectoral-fin base, origin of pelvic fins directly below the lower pectoral-fin base. Scales ctenoid, absent from head, nape, prepectoral and prepelvic regions, midventral abdomen, and along base of dorsal and anal fins. |
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Biology |
Coral gobies are hermaphrodites and obligate coral-dwellers. Pairs or small groups live among coral branches. Immature individuals are female and may change sex to become males during the life cycle. |
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Remarks |
Use of the name Paragobiodon kasaii in Australia is tentative, as Australian specimens have three colour phases rather than the two for P. kasaii. |
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Similar Species |
The similar Blackfin Coralgoby, Paragobiodon lacunicolus, differs in having the origin of the first dorsal fin posterior to the upper base of the pectoral fins (vs. usually directly over the upper pectoral-fin base in P. kasaii), the origin of the pelvic fins directly below the lower pectoral-fin base (vs. before the lower pectoral-fin base in P. kasaii), and in having translucent pectoral fins (vs. black pectoral fins in P. kasaii). |
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Etymology |
The species is named in honour of Mr. Masao Kasai, who first discovered the new species and photographed it underwater. |
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Species Citation |
Paragobiodon kasaii Suzuki & Randall 2011, Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science Ser. A 37(3): 156, figs 1-3. Type locality: Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Iriomote Island, Hatoma, 24°2819.17N, 123°4833.82” E, depth 15 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2023 |
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Resources |
False Blackfin Coralgoby, Paragobiodon kasaii Suzuki & Randall 2011
References
Larson, H. 2019. Paragobiodon kasaii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T141484010A148866056. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T141484010A148866056.en. Downloaded on 15 June 2021.
Suzuki, T. & Randall, J.E. 2011. Paragobiodon kasaii, a new gobiid fish from Japan and Palau. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science Ser. A 37(3): 155-161
Quick Facts
CAAB Code:37428473
Conservation:IUCN Data Deficient
Depth:2-16 m
Habitat:Reef associated
Max Size:2 cm SL
Species Maps
CAAB distribution map