Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854)
Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby
Bia
Favonigobius reichei
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  8.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines (Ref. 7050), north to Japan (Ref. 559), south to northern Australia (Ref. 33390).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Description: Body depth 6.1 times in standard length (Ref. 90102). Snout gently sloping (Ref. 2798). Dorsal fin with 7 spines and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 1 spine and 7-8 soft rays; pectoral fin with 16-17 rays; second dorsal spine forming elongate, threadlike filament; pelvic fins united medially; presence of pelvic frenum; caudal fin rounded (Ref. 2798, 90102). Scales on lateral line 25-27; ctenoid scales, except cycloid on breast and pectoral fin base; predorsal scales 0-4, scale absent on remainder of head (Ref. 2798, 90102).

Colouration: Body with numerous small spots; sides with 4-5 slightly enlarged groups of black spots, last spot on caudal peduncle often paired, without a vertical bar at caudal base; median fins spotted; paired fins pale (Ref. 2798). Large males with dusky 1st dorsal, anal and pelvic fins (Ref. 2798).

Biology:  Usually in small groups (Ref. 90102). Found over sandy and muddy bottoms, often in weedy areas of intertidal zone; also in mangroves, estuaries, lagoons and rivers (Ref. 4343).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 July 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Specimens were collected in 1993 from Kiga creek, Ambacan River at Baybay, and San Jose Dulag, Leyte and Inuntan, Basey River, Samar (Ref. 7223).


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