Smilosicyopus pentecost (Keith, Lord & Taillebois, 2010)
Pentecost Sicyopus

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Sicydiinae
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.34 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; freshwater; depth range - 5 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Oceania: Vanuatu and New Caledonia (Ref 85524 and Ref. 87781).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10. This species is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral rays 15; upper jaw with numerous teeth (21-26); less lateral scale series (14-29) and zigzag series (11-14); second dorsal fin in females long; caudal peduncle short; head blackish, dorsally with blackish band extending from the tip of snout and upper lip, under the eye to the posterior edge of operculum and pectoral base; blackish band extends from the back of the eye to the dorsal part of pectoral fin base and to caudal fin along midline (Ref. 85524).
Biology:  This species is found in clear, high gradient streams with rocky bottom. It lives on the bottom, on top of rocks, and often seen swimming in open water in the current between rocks or in large pools. Like its congeners, it is presumed to spawn in freshwater, the free embryos drift downstream to the sea where these undergo a planktonic phase, and before returning to the rivers to grow and reproduce (Ref. 85524).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 September 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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