Oxyurichthys papuensis (Valenciennes, 1837)
Frogface goby
Bia
Oxyurichthys papuensis
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  22 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 52.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa and east to the tropical west Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-13. Body brown with 7-8 vertical dark brown bars (Ref. 2798); characterized further by pale brownish grey body color with orange spots/bands on cheek and operculum; united pelvic fins, well developed frenum present; long and pointed caudal fin, nearly twice length of head; longitudinal scale series 75-80; ctenoid scales posteriorly to below middle of first dorsal fin, becoming cycloid anteriorly; scales absent on head, midline of nape and prepectoral area; low fleshy ridge on midline of nape; depth of body 5.6-6.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs inshore (Ref. 4343), mud bottoms of estuaries and protected bays (Ref. 37816). Found on open flat bottom and large adults mostly seen at about 30 meters depth. Dives head first into the mud for safety (Ref. 48637). Hides in a burrow, but can dive into mud to escape predators (Ref. 11441).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 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 Not for publication.