| Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae |
| 4.07 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.53 cm SL (female) |
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benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Asia: Philippines. |
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Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characcters: pectoral fin 14-16 rays (usually 15 rays); nape and posterior part of occipital region with cycloid scales and the scaled area extending anteriorly to around a vertical line through posterior margin of preopercle or a little posterior to this line; longitudinal scales 27-31, predorsal scales 3-11; total vertebrae 26; cephalic sensory pore system usually with B´, C, D(S), E, F, H´, K´, L´, M´, N, and O´, but often lacking one or both side(s) of pore E; cheek with transverse rows of sensory papillae. Colouration: when preserved, lateral and dorsal sides of the body with dark brown mesh-like markings, snout and cheek with three dark brown stripes, and pectoral fin with dark brown band vertically across proximal part of the upper and middle rays except lower 2-6 rays; when fresh, upper and middle parts of pectoral-fin base with bright white vertical band (Ref. 125663). |
| Water temperature of collection sites Estrella Falls was cool even during the hottest dry season (water temperature was 26.5°C, 13 May, 2016), while water in the Malatgao River was warmer (estimated to be nearly 30°C) (Ref. 125663). |
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Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
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Type locality of Rhinogobius estrellae, Palawan, Narra, Estrella Falls. It was also found in a creek in front of the Barangay Hall of Estrella Village (9°21'28"N 118°24'58"E), drawing from the stream below Estrella Falls. The stream flows into Malatgao River.
Most of the specimens examined were collected from a pool and the lower reaches of a stream below the Estrella Falls (9°21'26"N 118°23'50"E), located where a steep stream from Mt. Victoria (1,726 m) comes out to a large plain in Narra, Sulu Sea-side of the island. It was abundant in the pool below the first major fall with many cyprinids and gobies, but not found in the reaches above it which are occupied by sicydiine gobies including Sicyopus zosterophorus and Lentipes palawanirufus, and eels of the genus Anguilla (species level unidentified). It was also found in a creek in front of the Barangay Hall of Estrella Village (9°21'28"N 118°24'58"E), drawing from the stream below Estrella Falls. The stream flows into Malatgao River.
The water at Estrella Falls was cool even during the hottest dry season (water temperature was 26.5°C measured on 13 May, 2016), while water in the Malatgao River was warmer (appeared to be nearly 30°C although not measured).
In the surveyed site in the middle reaches of the Malatgao River (9°20'16.7"N118°27'27.0"E), no Rhinogobius were found there (Ref. 125663). |
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