Kelloggella avaiki Tornabene, Deis & Erdmann, 2017
Star-spangled goby
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.1 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Niue.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body lacking vertical bars; in life, body and fins possess small bright iridescent blue spots and speckles on a dark greyish-blue to black background; jaws and tip of snout light yellow; D2 I,11-13; A I, 8; pectoral-fin rays 14 (Ref. 116852).
Biology:  Specimens were collected from the lower intertidal zone on a narrow reef flat exposed to strong wave energy and were found living in small water-filled crevices in the reef pavement. Observed to be fairly abundant on the reef flat where it was collected, with an estimated five to 10 individuals per m2 in the lower intertidal zone ( Ref. 116852).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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