Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum Klausewitz & Condé, 1981
Blue-barred ribbon goby
Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum
photo by Kuiter, R.H.

Family:  Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 45 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia (Ref. 9710) and Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31-31; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 27-27. Description: Characterized by bluish grey body color with oblique blue-edged pink bands on side; presence of blue teardrop-shaped mark on forehead tapering to form mid-dorsal stripe ending at dorsal fin origin; side of head with coloured short blue bands and spots; numerous scales, at least 118 in longitudinal scale series; more or less rounded head profile with slight concavity in front of eyes; longest dorsal spines shorter than longest soft rays; depth of body 4.0 in SL
Biology:  Found on deep mud slopes (Ref. 9710, 48637). Lives in pairs in burrows (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 May 2022 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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