Amblygobius albimaculatus (Rüppell, 1830)
Butterfly goby
Bia
Amblygobius albimaculatus
photo by Cox, C.D.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa south to Durban (South Africa), including most islands in the western Indian Ocean islands; Indonesia, Australia and South Pacific islands. Also known from Japan, Philippines (Ref. 2798) and Persian Gulf (Ref. 68964)
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Males with 3 black spots near base of 2nd dorsal fin and round spots on cheek; females with brown-edged band from upper lip to upper operculum (Ref. 2798).
Biology:  Epibenthic and littoral, entering estuaries and lagoons (Ref. 4343). Usually seen in pairs, hovering a short distance above the substratum. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). t builds its burrow in sand or silty sand by moving out mouthfuls of sediment (Ref. 11441). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 9773.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Also Ref. 6956. Museum: Western Calatagan, Batangas, UPZM 5429. Near El Nido, coral reef, spoon net, FRLM 11794 (Ref. 10558).


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