Myersina balteata Greenfield & Randall, 2018
Belted shrimpgoby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  4.91 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 54 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Solomon Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body crossed by a wide gray bar at midbody and a dark longitudinal stripe extending midlaterally along center of body from head to caudal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular in shape, of moderate height, 23% SL, the anterior spines with yellow margin, not filamentous, and with yellow spots on basal membranes; second dorsal fin with large diffuse yellow spots on all membranes; the postorbital side of head with distinct narrow yellow lines; distal end of maxilla is yellow; gill membranes fused together and to isthmus at ventral midline; caudal-fin length 37% SL; dorsal-fin elements VI-I,10; anal-fin elements I,9; pectoral-fin rays 17; predorsal midline with 20 scales; scales in longitudinal series 62; gill rakers 4+13 (Ref. .118499).
Biology:  The holotype was speared near a burrow in silty sand that appeared to have been made by an alpheid shrimp (although no shrimp was seen) (Ref. 118499).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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