Vanderhorstia ambanoro (Fourmanoir, 1957)
Ambanoro prawn-goby
Vanderhorstia ambanoro
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Samoa, north to the Yaeyama Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-13. Pale color and series of black spots, male with blue stripes along margin of ventral fin (Ref. 30404); characterized further by the following: head and upper side with blue streaks and short vertical lines; low and rounded first dorsal fin; united pelvic fins, well developed frenum present; longitudinal scale series 73-85; head without scales; cycloid scales covering body; greatest depth of body 5.5-6.4 in SL; caudal fin with near truncate posterior margin, about equal to head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found on sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 30404). Lives with grey or brown Alpheus spp. (Ref. 30404). Inhabits coastal bays and lagoons on sandy or muddy substrates to about 30 meters depth (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.