GOBIIDAE


Bryaninops natans, 1.4 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Bryaninops natans
Larson, 1985
Red Eye Goby

D IV-VIII + I, 7-9 (usually VI + I, 8-9); A I, 8-9; P1 14-17; LR 19-40; PDS 0.

Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head subcylindrical; gill opening extending anteriorly well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of preopercle; anterior margin of tongue trilobed. Pelvic fins united medially; frenum present; skin around pelvic-fin spine thickened, forming a lobe-like appearance; caudal fin truncate. Scales ctenoid; head, predorsal region, pectoral-fin base and belly naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; longitudinal pattern of sensory papillae on cheek. Color: head, body and fins transparent when alive, with a posteriorly-narrowing yellow band from gill chamber to ventral half of caudal peduncle through belly; iris purplish pink. Size: 2.5 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: usually forming aggregation, hovering around corals of Acropora; when disturbed, quickly settles on coral branches.