FAO family account and key to WA gobies
by E.O. Murdy and D.F. Hoese
Gobiidae
gobies
Diagnostic characters: Typically very small (10 cm or
less), the smallest known vertebrate is a goby, Trimmatom nanus, that matures at 8 mm. The majority of gobies have the pelvic fins
united to form a ventral disc; those gobies whose pelvic fins are not united
are typically found in coral reef areas. Typically, but with many
exceptions, body stout; head short and broad; snout rounded; gill membranes
broadly joined to isthmus; scales large and either cycloid or ctenoid; two
separate dorsal fins (except in Gobioides),
first dorsal fin with 4-8 weak spines, second dorsal fin with one weak spine
followed by 9-18 soft rays; caudal fin broad and rounded, comprising 16 or 17
segmented rays; anal fin with one weak spine followed by 9-18 soft rays; pelvic
fin long with one spine and five rays, pelvic spines usually joined by fleshy
membrane (frenum), and innermost pelvic rays usually joined by membrane;
pectoral fin broad with 15-22 rays. The terminal ray of the second dorsal and
anal fins is divided to its base (but only counted as a single element.) The
head is often scaled, scales being either cycloid or ctenoid. Head typically with a series of sensory
canals and pores as well as cutaneous papillae.
No lateral line on the body. The teeth are usually small, sharp and
conical and are found in one to several rows in the jaws. Colour:
variable.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: The Gobiidae is the largest family
of marine fishes and comprises more than 220 genera and 1,500 species. This
highly successful family primarily inhabits shallow tropical and subtropical
waters, but has invaded nearly all benthic habitats from freshwater to the
shoreline to depths exceeding 500 m. Typically
secretive in their habits, they can be found on a variety of substrata from mud
to rubble, and coral reefs are particularly rich in goby species. Some gobies
spend their entire lives in freshwaters, others
migrate back and forth between freshwater and brackish water environments, or
between marine and brackish waters.
Members of the subfamily Sicydiinae inhabit
the upper reaches of rivers, often at great altitudes, and migrate downstream
to spawn; when spawning is complete, the fertilized eggs drift out with
currents to develop at sea, and the adults return to their upstream habitat,
often overcoming torrential stream flows.
Some gobies associate with other organisms such as shrimps, sponges,
soft corals, and other fishes. For a few species, symbiotic relationships with
other organisms are a necessary part of the goby's
lifestyle. For instance, the cleaner gobies of the
Most gobiids are of no
commercial or recreational importance other than as food for larger
fishes. Post larval fry of Awaous and Sicydium are popular food items
to native peoples throughout this region.
Fry are collected in nets as they enter river and stream mouths during
migrations from the sea to freshwater, usually during a full moon.
Similar families occurring in the area:
Eleotridae: base of second dorsal fin equal to
or shorter than distance from end of second dorsal fin to base of caudal fin;
pelvic fins always separate; found mostly in brackish or freshwater habitats,
only one species occurs on coral reefs.
Tripterygiidae: three separate dorsal fins
present, two with flexible spines and one with soft rays; cirri may be present
on eye.
Blenniidae: body without scales; dorsal fin
continuous, with fewer than 20 flexible spines and 12 or more soft rays; cirri
may be present on eye and on nape.
KEY TO GOBIID SUBFAMILIES IN THE WESTERN ATLANTIC-FISHING AREA 31
[Keys modified and revised from
Hoese, 1978, Birdsong, 1981, Pezold, 1984, Watson, 1996]
1a. Dorsal and anal fins connected
to caudal fin, both dorsal fins united by membrane; mud-burrowing, elongate
gobies with pink to purple skin...................................................................................................................
..........................................................................Gobionellinae, in part (sensu
Pezold, 1993)
1b. Dorsal and anal fins separated
from caudal fin, both dorsal fins typically separate............... 2
2a. Lower jaw typically possessing
only a single row of teeth .................................... Sicydiinae
2b. Lower jaw typically possessing
more than one row of teeth............................................... 3
3a. Paired anterior interorbital
pores present........... Gobionellinae, in part, (sensu
Pezold, 1993)
3b. Usually
a single anterior interorbital pore present or head pores completely lacking.
If two anterior interorbital pores present (Only gobiines
in Fishing Area 31 with paired AIP are Coryphopterus
hyalinus, C. personatus,
and C. lipernes), then pelvic frenum
lacking and pelvic fins nearly separate. If head pores absent, then one or more
of the following conditions also exist: 1) chest, head, nape, and pectoral-fin
base unscaled and/or 2) barbels present on chin [although exceptions exist,
head pores are typically absent only in a few, small, coral reef gobies] Gobiinae (sensu Pezold, 1993)
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Key to the genera of Sicydiinae in Fishing
Area 31
Only a single genus of sicydiine gobies is found in this region, that genus is Sicydium. Taxonomy is incompletely resolved in this genus and, thus, a key to the species of Sicydium is not yet available.
The Sicydium species in Fishing Area 31 are some or all of the following:
Sicydium
adelum
Bussing, 1996; to 9cm;
Sicydium
altum Meek,
1907;
Sicydium
antillarum Ogilvie-Grant, 1884;
Sicydium buscki Evermann &
Clark, 1906;
Sicydium
caguitae (Evermann & Marsh, 1900);
Sicydium gilberti Watson, 2000;
Sicydium
gymnogaster
Ogilvie-Grant, 1884;
Sicydium
montanum Hubbs, 1920;
Sicydium
plumieri
(Bloch, 1786);
Sicydium
punctatum
Sicydium salvini Ogilvie-Grant, 1884;
Sicydium
vincente
Jordan & Evermann, 1898;
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Key to the genera of Gobionellinae in Fishing
Area 31
[Mostly brackish to freshwater
species]
1a. A single continuous dorsal fin; eyes minute, about 10 percent of head length; body very elongate, eel-like. Reaching 50 cm in total length . 2
1b. Two dorsal fins; eyes larger, 15 percent or more of head length; body robust or elongate. Maximum size of adults 30 cm .3
2a. D. VI-I, 14; A. I, 13-14; caudal vertebrae 16... ..............Gobioides grahamae
2b. D. VI-I, 15; A. I, 15; caudal vertebrae 17..... ...........Gobioides broussoneti
3a. Low membranous crest present on nape reaching from origin of first dorsal fin to above preopercle................ Oxyurichthys stigmalophius
3b. No crest present on nape............. ......................................................4
4a. Body without scales; vomer (on roof of mouth) with teeth. ....Vomerogobius flavus
4b. Body completely scaled; vomer without teeth ..5
5a. Shoulder girdle, under gill cover, with distinct fleshy lobes. (Awaous) ..6
5b. Shoulder girdle without fleshy lobes 7
6a. Longitudinal scales rows typically fewer than 60; first dorsal fin reddish orange....................... ........Awaous flavus
6b. Longitudinal scale rows typically more than 60, often more than 70; first dorsal fin yellowish green................ Awaous banana
7a. Teeth compressed, with bilobed tips; mouth slightly inferior; two dusky spots at base of caudal fin. ............ .Evorthodus lyricus
7b. Teeth conical, pointed‑tipped; mouth at end of snout or inferior . ..8
8a. Tongue distinctly bilobed; sides of head scaled to below eye; mouth inferior............... . .Gnatholepis thompsoni
8b. Tongue tip‑pointed to rounded; sides of head without scales, or with scales on opercle only; mouth at end of snout. ............9
9a. Long, lateral cephalic canal with four pores; numerous elongate gill rakers on both arms of first gill arch....(Gobionellus) .10
9b. Short, lateral cephalic canal with only two pores; no gill rakers or lobes on upper arm of first gill arch, 4-5 gill rakers on lower arm, gill rakers short and triangulate... .....................(Ctenogobius) ..11
10a. Total elements in second dorsal fin 13; total elements in anal fin 14; a large anterolateral splotch on the trunk beneath the pectoral fin.................Gobionellus stomatus
10b. Total elements in second dorsal fin 14; total elements in anal fin 15; no spot beneath pectoral fin ...Gobionellus oceanicus
11a. Total elements in second dorsal fin 11; total elements in anal fin 12 .12
11b. Total elements in second dorsal fin 12; total elements in anal fin 13 .13
12a. Black circles on side of head; many green spots on side Ctenogobius smaragdus
12b. No circular spots on side of head; about 5 round or elongate dark blotches along mid-side, some with diagonal marks extending upward to form V-shapes............ ............ .. .. Ctenogobius boleosoma
13a. Darkly pigmented along preopercular margin of cheek . ..14
13b. Preopercular margin, if pigmented, not more intense than other head pigmentation, and not as distinctly defined ..15
14a. Nape typically with 10-12 predorsal
scales; spines of first dorsal fin not produced...............................
Ctenogobius stigmaturus
14b. Nape with few or no scales; third spine of first dorsal
fin often greatly produced in males....
Ctenogobius fasciatus
15a. Eye greatly reduced, not filling socket ... Ctenogobius thoropsis
15b. Eye normal, not reduced .. ...................16
16a. Cheek with three dark broad vertical bars; laterally
projecting, sometimes nearly horizontal, tusk-like canine
tooth in middle of lower jaw..........................................................................................Ctenogobius stigmaticus
16b. Cheek not as above; canine tooth present midlaterally in lower jaw of some species but not projecting laterally or horizontally . .17
17a. Broad strip of dark pigment crossing lower cheek from
lower preopercular angle to just above the corner
of the jaw; males often with elongate
3rd spine in first dorsal fin and large recurved
canine tooth midlaterally in lower
jaw.............................................Ctenogobius pseudofasciatus
17b. Broad strip not present as described; males with or without elongate spine and large, midlateral canine tooth in lower jaw ...................18
18a. Cheek pigmentation dominated by distinct suborbital bar
that follows a vertical from lower rim of orbit to the
corner of the jaw (in some populations only reaching a third of the distance to
jaw) ...
... Ctenogobius saepepallans
18b. Cheek pigmentation not dominated by suborbital bar
described above, instead horizontal bar across
midcheek from
upper preopercular canal to corner of jaw or
streak on snout from eye to midlateral portion
of upper jaw may be more
pronounced...........19
19a. Caudal fin very elongate in
both sexes (42-53% SL in males, 39-50% in females); jaw long, extending to
posterior margin of orbit in both sexes (13-16% SL in males, 13-14% in
females); dark, well-defined shoulder
patch present (most prominent marking on trunk); V-shaped pattern of midlateral blotches with dorsal extensions
frequently formed in
adults........................................................................................... Ctenogobius phenacus
19b. Caudal fin moderately produced (to 44% SL in males, to
39% in females); jaw long in males but not reaching
posterior margin of orbit in females (only to 13% SL); shoulder patch
frequently present but rarely as dark as midlateral
blotches; V-shaped pattern not formed, only single dorsal arms may be
present...............................................................20
20a. Pelvic fin in adult males dusky; in females, pelvic fin
with bilateral streaks paralleling innermost ray coursing
posteriorly from fin base; adult males typically with
3rd spine of first dorsal fin elongate.......
..... Ctenogobius claytoni
20b. Pelvic fin in adult males with bilateral streaks
paralleling innermost ray coursing posteriorly from
fin base;
pelvic fin of females without streaks; adult males lack elongate spine in first
dorsal fin............
............ Ctenogobius shufeldti
Gobionelline species included in key:
W31 = western sector of FAO
Fishing Area 31
S31 = southern sector of FAO
Fishing Area 31
NW41 = northwest sector of
FAO Fishing Area 41
Awaous flavus (
Awaous banana (
Ctenogobius boleosoma (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882), to 7.5cm,
Ctenogobius claytoni (Meek, 1902), to 6cm,
Ctenogobius fasciatus Gill, 1858, to 7.2cm, Dominica, Trinidad, Barbados, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela W31
Ctenogobius phenacus (Pezold and Lasala,
1987), to 5cm,
Ctenogobius pseudofasciatus (Gilbert & Randall, 1971), to
6.6cm,
Ctenogobius saepepallens (Gilbert & Randall, 1968), to 5cm, s.
Ctenogobius shufeldti (Jordan & Eigenmann,
1887), to 8cm,
Ctenogobius smaragdus (
Ctenogobius stigmaticus (Poey, 1860), to
8cm,
Ctenogobius stigmaturus (Goode & Bean, 1882), to 6.5cm,
Ctenogobius thoropsis (Pezold and Gilbert, 1987), to 5.5cm,
Evorthodus lyricus
(Girard, 1858), to 15cm,
Gnatholepis thompsoni
Gobioides grahamae Palmer & Wheeler, 1955, to 20cm, Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil S31, NW41
Gobioides broussoneti Lacepθde, 1800, to 50cm, South
Carolina to Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and south to Brazil W31, NW41
Gobionellus stomatus Starks, 1913, to 11cm, Brazil S31
Gobionellus oceanicus (Pallas 1770), to 30cm,
Oxyurichthys
stigmalophius (Mead & Bφhlke, 1958), to
16.5cm,
Vomerogobius flavus Gilbert, 1971, to 2.5cm, Bahamas W31
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Key to the described genera of Gobiinae in Fishing
Area 31
*******************************************************************
1a. First dorsal fin with 6 or fewer
spines. (Evermannichthys
typically has 6 or
fewer spines in the first dorsal fin but 7-spined Evermannichthys have been reported)
..2
1b. First dorsal fin with 7 or 8 spines . ..30
2a. Second dorsal fin with more than 20 elements; pelvic fins separate, with 1 spine and 4 rays .. (Ptereleotris) . .3
2b. Second dorsal fin with fewer than 20 elements; pelvic
fins either separate or connected by membrane,
with 1 spine and 5 rays
.
..4
3a. Black stripe near edge of dorsal fins; caudal fin lanceolate .Ptereleotris calliurus
3b. No black in dorsal fins; caudal fin rounded Ptereleotris helenae
4a. No head pores 5
4b. Head pores present . .18
5a. Body mostly without scales, only a few scales anterior
to caudal fin or none; body very slender,
body depth contained 7 to 9 times in standard length without caudal fin; second
dorsal fin with 1 spine
and 10 to 15 soft rays.
(Evermannichthys)
6
5b. Body completely scaled, scales reaching anteriorly at least to origin of first dorsal fin; body
deep, the
depth contained 4 to 7 times in standard length; second dorsal fin with 1 spine
and 8 to 11 soft
rays
.
.9
6a. Body with numerous dark bars or saddles, especially dorsally ....................... .7
6b. Body uniformly pigmented or bicolor, but without dark bars or saddles............ .8
7a. 4-5 spines in first dorsal fin; row of scales along base of anal fin..................Evermannichthys metzelaari
7b. 6-7 spines in first dorsal fin; no scales along base of anal fin....................Evermannichthys spongicola
8a. Dorsal fins connected, at least basally, sometimes broadly........Evermannichthys silus
8b. Dorsal fins separate.............. .................... .. Evermannichthys convictor
9a. Top of head scaled to behind eyes; gill openings broad,
extending to below posterior
preopercular margin; spines of pelvic fin not
connected by a membrane
..Priolepis hipoliti
9b. Top of head without scales; gill openings narrow, equal
to pectoral-fin bases; spines of pelvic fins
connected by a membrane forming a cup‑shaped disc
(Lythrypnus)
..10
10a. Body usually uniformly pigmented, lacking bands, bars, or stripes. .Lythrypnus elasson
10b. Body with bands, bars, and/or stripes.......................................... ......11
11a. First two dorsal spines elongate, especially in males...........Lythrypnus heterochroma
11b. No elongate dorsal spines................................................. ................12
12a. Body translucent with pale bars only on posterior half............... Lythrypnus minimus
12b. Body completely banded................................ ..................................13
13a. Pale bands on body with dark center lines.................... ...................15
13b. Pale bands on body, if present, lack dark center lines...... ...............14
14a. Blue and yellow bands on body, each blue band with darker center line...... Lythrypnus spilus
14b. Narrow dark bands on body without dark center line. . .... Lythrypnus okapia
15a. Dark bands on body divided by pale central areas;
pectoral-fin base with two spots,
one ventral and one dorsal (occasionally barely separated); spots on cheek
usually arranged
in 3-4 rows radiating from ventral portion of eye
.Lythrypnus phorellus
15b. Dark bands on body not divided by pale central areas; pectoral-fin base with one or two spots .16
16a. Width of pale bands (below dorsal-fin origin) equal to
or greater than width of dark bands;
color pattern on cheek usually consisting of two bars or spots arranged in bars
under eye,
space between posteriormost bar and preopercular margin usually lacking spots; pectoral-fin
base spot often extending anteriorly toward opercular
membrane......
Lythrypnus crocodilus
16b. Width of pale bands clearly less than width of dark
bands; color pattern on cheek not as above;
pectoral-fin base spot usually not extending anteriorly
toward opercular membrane
..17
17a. Pectoral-fin rays 16-18, modally 17; color pattern on
cheek consisting of wide bars (occasionally
bars may break up into rows of spots), covering most of cheek with dark
pigment; pectoral-fin
base spot very intense, darker than other dark areas of body
............
Lythrypnus mowbrayi
17b. Pectoral-fin rays 15-17, modally 15; color pattern on
cheek usually consisting of spots,
often arranged in 3-4 rows radiating from ventral portion of eye, causing most
of cheek to be
lightly pigmented; pectoral-fin base spot not conspicuously darker than other
dark
areas of body
. Lythrypnus
nesiotes
18a. Upper 3 to 5 pectoral‑fin rays filamentous and
free from membrane; scales
extending forward onto head
.
(Bathygobius)
.19
18b. No free pectoral‑fin rays; no scales on top of head .. .21
19a. 36 or fewer scales in a lateral series . ..20
19b. 37-41 scales in a lateral series .. Bathygobius soporator
20a. 31-34 (typically 33) scales in a lateral series; 16 or 17 pectoral-fin rays........Bathygobius curacao
20b. 33-36 (typically 35) scales in a lateral series; 19 or 20 pectoral-fin rays.......Bathygobius mystacium
21a. A prominent crest from first dorsal fin to between eyes Lophogobius cyprinoides
21b. No crest or a very low ridge from first dorsal fin to behind eyes.........(Coryphopterus) ....... ..22
22a. Pelvic fins rounded .. 23
22b. Pelvic fins emarginate . . . .. 24
23a. Prominent dark spot on lower half of pectoral-fin base Coryphopterus punctipectophorus
23b. No spot on lower half of pectoral-fin base. Coryphopterus glaucofrenum
24a. Pelvic frenum present . 25
24b. Pelvic frenum absent ..26
25a. Dark spot on dorsal part of pectoral-fin base .Coryphopterus thrix
25b. Dark spot lacking on pectoral-fin base .. Coryphopterus eidolon
26a. Pelvic fins separate or nearly so . .27
26b. Pelvic fins united . . Coryphopterus dicrus
27a. Black ring surrounds anus ... 28
27b. No black ring surrounding anus . Coryphopterus alloides
28a. Two pores between the eyes 29
28b. Three pores between the eyes ..Coryphopterus hyalinus
29a. Second dorsal and anal fins with 11 total elements Coryphopterus personatus
29b. Second dorsal and anal fins with 10 total elements Coryphopterus lipernes
30a. Head with 3 or more pairs of barbels; body without scales.. .......... 31
30b. Head without elongate barbels or with 1 or 2 pairs of short bumps; body with or without scales....................................................... ...............32
31a. Body mostly black; two barbels between eye and corner of mouth.. Barbulifer antennatus
31b. Body greenish with pale bands above and below mid-side; one barbel below eye..Barbulifer ceuthoecus
32a. First dorsal fin with 8 spines .. ....Pariah scotius
32b. First dorsal fin with 7 spines.............. ............................................33
33a. Pelvic fins completely separate......... ..............................................34
33b. Pelvic fins connected by a membrane.......... ...................................47
34a. Body without scales .......... ..................................35
34b. Body scaled................................................ .....................................40
35a. Pectoral fin with dark brown to black bar running dorsoventrally at a posterior angle
across fin; dorsal and caudal fins also with dark bars; anal-fin elements 7 or
8 (usually seven);
second dorsal-fin elements 9-10 (nearly always nine)............Psilotris batrachodes
35b. Pectoral fin lacking bar running dorsoventrally
at a posterior angle across fin,
fin is bicolored (upper half black) or unpigmented; anal-fin elements
8-11..............................36
36a. Pectoral-fin
rays 15; anal-fin elements 8-9
..
......Psilotris alepis
36b. Pectoral-fin
rays 16-19; anal-fin elements
9-11.................
..................37
37a. Caudal fin with 3 oblique, dark bars; snout very short
and blunt, with steep anterior profile;
second dorsal-fin elements 11-12
.Psilotris
amblyrhynchus
37b. Caudal fin without 3 oblique, dark bars; snout more
acute, with flatter anterior profile;
second dorsal-fin elements 10-11
.
..38
38a. Pectoral fin bicolored, dark
brown to black on upper 9-11 rays and membranes and
white below; anal-fin elements 10-11 (typically 11).....
..Psilotris kaufmani
38b. Pectoral fin not bicolored; anal-fin elements 9-11 (typically 10) ..39
39a. Posterior end of jaw extending past posterior margin of
pupil; caudal peduncle slender
(80-89 thousandths of SL); snout short (44-55 thousandths of SL)
..... Psilotris boehlkei
39b. Posterior end of jaw not extending past posterior
margin of pupil; caudal peduncle deeper
(greater than 92 thousandths of SL); snout longer (greater than 55 thousandths
of
SL).....
..
.................Psilotris celsus
40a. Pelvic‑fin rays unbranched,
the soft rays with expanded tips; tongue bilobed.........41
40b. Pelvic‑fin rays branched, soft rays with or without expanded tips; tongue‑ tip rounded or truncate....................... ............ ........................ .....43
41a. Pelvic fins with fleshy tips, not extending beyond base of anal fin ...............42
41b. Pelvic fins without fleshy tips and extending beyond base of anal fin .
Varicus imswe
42a. Belly completely scaled or with naked central area;
total elements in second dorsal
fin 9-10; 27 scales in a lateral series
..
.Varicus bucca
42b. Belly without scales; total elements in second dorsal fin 9; 18-19 scales in a lateral series ................ ................................Varicus marilynae
43a. Head pores present .Pycnomma roosevelti
43b. No head pores. ............... ......... ..............................44
44a. Body partially scaled . 45
44b. Only two scales present, one each at base of upper and lower caudal-fin ..
................................ ...................... ....................Chriolepis fisheri
45a. Highly modified, enlarged scale(s) present on caudal-fin base; caudal vertebrae 17 Robinsichthys arrowsmithensis
45b. No modified and/or enlarged scale(s) on caudal-fin base; caudal vertebrae 16 . 46
46a. Total elements in second dorsal fin 10; total elements in anal fin 9............Chriolepis benthonis
46b. Total elements in second dorsal fin 11; total elements in anal fin 8... .Chriolepis vespa
47a. Mouth not completely closing, with protruding teeth curved outward ..Risor ruber
47b. Mouth closing normally, without protruding teeth........... ...............48
48a. Large teeth on vomer present. ..........Palatogobius paradoxus
48b. Teeth on vomer absent .49
49a. Head pores absent........ ..... ...........................................................50
49b. Head pores present............. ..............................................................51
50a. Head very depressed, broader than deep; body dark
below, pale above; spines
of pelvic fins not connected by a membrane
.
Gobulus myersi
50b. Head compressed, deeper than wide; body with diffuse
spots; pelvic‑fin spines
connected to form a cup‑shaped disc
..
....
..Nes longus
51a. Scales present in front of pelvic fin; top of head scaled; head compressed (Bollmannia)..52
51b. No scales anterior to pelvic fins; top of head without scales, or if scaled, head depressed.......55
52a. Total elements in second dorsal fin 12.....................................................................53
52b. Total elements in second dorsal fin 13-15...............................................................54
53a. Total elements in anal fin 12; no black band on upper lip............Bollmannia litura
53b. Total elements in anal fin 13; black band on upper lip........Bollmannia eigenmanni
54a. Total elements in second dorsal fin 13; a longitudinal
row of scales along the lower margin
of the cheek................................................................Bollmannia boqueronensis
54b. Total elements in second dorsal fin typically 14, but
occasionally 13 or 15; no longitudinal
row of scales along the lower margin of cheek ..........Bollmannia communis
55a. Tongue bilobed, no pore above and between anterior margin of eyes....................56
55b. Tongue‑tip usually rounded, rarely bilobed; a median pore between anterior margin of eyes..............................................................................................................................62
56a. Head compressed; second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 14 to 18 soft rays..(Microgobius) 57
56b. Head depressed; second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 10 to 13 soft rays.......Parrella macropteryx
57a. Three pores in preopercular
sensory canal; second dorsal fin with more than 17
elements; anal fin with more than 18 elements; lateral scale rows greater than
65
..58
57b. Two pores in preopercular
sensory canal; second dorsal fin typically with 17 or
fewer elements; anal fin with 18 or fewer elements; lateral scale rows fewer
than 65.....59
58a. Second dorsal-fin elements 20-21; anal-fin elements 21
(occasionally 20) lateral scale
rows about 77-90; scales mostly cycloid; females with pale bar edged in black
on body
above pectoral
fin
...............................................................Microgobius signatus
58b. Second dorsal-fin elements 18-19; anal-fin elements 19
(occasionally 20); lateral scale
rows about 68-78; scales mostly ctenoid; no dark
markings on body in either sex...Microgobius
microlepis
59a. A fleshy median crest present on nape; a prominent dark
spot on body below spinous
dorsal-in origin; caudal fin typically greater than 40% of SL.
Microgobius meeki
59b. Fleshy median crest absent or poorly developed on nape;
body with no dark spot below
spinous dorsal-fin origin or with many dark spots;
caudal fin typically less than 40% of SL
60
60a. Scales mostly ctenoid; about
4 enlarged caninoid teeth in outer row of each dentary;
interorbital width broad (about 4% of SL); a broad
yellow stripe on side with 2 narrow
yellow stripes
above
.......................................................................
.Microgobius carri
60b. Scales mostly cycloid; about 8 enlarged caninoid teeth in outer row of each
dentary; interorbital width
narrow (less than 3% of SL); no yellow stripes on body
61
61a. Three pores in lateral cepahlic sensory canal; body with numerous dark blotches;
mouth of
males greatly enlarged (greater than 15% of SL in males larger than 25 mm) .Microgobius gulosus
61b. Two pores in lateral cephalic sensory canal; body
without dark spots; mouth of males
little enlarged (less than 15% of SL in males)
Microgobius thalassinus
62a. Body with 9 blue vertical bars; upper lip almost
completely connected to snout, upper lip
free near end of mouth only
Ginsburgellus
novemlineatus
62b. Body with vertical bars or stripes, or uniformly grey
or brown; upper lip connected to
snout anteriorly only, or if broadly connected, body
with longitudinal stripes............63
63a. Body with prominent longitudinal stripes or transverse
bars, or spotted; head
distinctly compressed, deeper than wide; vertebrae 28
........(Elacatinus).....................64
63b. Body with diffuse transverse bars or uniformly grey or
brown, never with longitudinal
stripes; head rounded or depressed, broader than deep, vertebrae 27.....(Gobiosoma).....82
64. No transverse bars or bands on body; prominent
longitudinal pale-colored stripe
from eye to posterior margin of head and typically extending along body to
caudal base;
typically a black longitudinal stripe ventral to the pale-colored
stripe...........................65
64b. Prominent transverse bars or
bands present on body; no longitudinal stripes extending
the entire body length, if longitudinal stripe present, it only extends the
length of the head......76
65a. Postorbital pale-colored stripe incomplete, not extending posteriorly beyond pectoral fin....66
65b. Postorbital pale-colored stripe extending full length of body to caudal-fin base....67
66a. Body dark dorsally, paler ventrally, with dark area
along caudal peduncle forming
squarish basicaudal spot;
postorbital colored stripe bright yellow............Elacatinus chancei
66b. Body and fins uniformly dark, slaty gray; postorbital colored stripe blue.......Elacatinus tenox
67a. Rostral
frenum present (occasionally with slight groove
between lip and
snout in evelynae), mouth distinctly
inferior, the snout overhanging upper lip...........................68
67b. Rostral frenum
absent (upper jaw always separated from snout by a deep
groove; mouth usually terminal or subterminal (except
distinctly inferior in genie)..................70
68a. Pale marking on snout an isolated, vertically ovate marking centrally..........Elacatinus illecebrosus
68b. Pale markings on snout consisting of a stripe continued
forward from each
eye, the two not interconnected anteriorly (oceanops), or a continuous V from eye to
eye (evelynae)....69
69a. Predorsal region not pale centrally; lateral pale stripe blue in life.........Elacatinus oceanops
69b. Predorsal region usually with
a pale central streak; lateral pale stripe
yellow to chartreuse in life anteriorly, becoming
pale posteriorly.......................Elacatinus evelynae
70a. Mouth distinctly inferior, shark-like; teeth in one series in upper jaw.......Elacatinus genie
70b. Mouth subterminal to terminal; teeth in two or more rows in upper jaw.................71
71a. Tip of snout dusky overally (the nostrils may be set in a pale batch on either side in young horsti).......72
71b. Tip of snout with a distinct pale marking that includes the anterior midline...........73
72a. Longitudinal pale stripe broad, extending ventrally to
or below lateral septum;
pectoral-fin rays modally
16...............................................................Elacatinus atronasum
72b. Longitudinal pale stripe
narrow, placed high on side of body; pectoral-fin rays
modally 18 and frequently 19.....................................................................Elacatinus horsti
73a. Longitudinal dark stripe terminating in an ovate spot
on base of caudal fin
(sometimes some dusky pigment present behind the spot)......................Elacatinus louisae
73b. Longitudinal dark stripe
continued to tip of caudal fin without swelling to
an ovate spot on base of caudal
fin...................................................................................................74
74a. Longitudinal dark stripe extending down to ventral
midline; lateral pale stripe
wide, roughly equal in width to eye; predorsal area
without a pale median
streak......................................................................................................Elacatinus prochilos
74b. Longitudinal dark stripe narrow, its lower margin well
removed from
base of anal fin; lateral pale stripe narrow, notably narrower than eye;
predorsal dark area with a pale median streak.....................................................................75
75a. Pectoral-fin rays modally 19 (range 18-20), females
with
enlarged canine teeth.....................................................................Elacatinus xanthiprora
75b. Pectoral-fin rays modally 17 (range 16-18), females
without any enlarged canine teeth..............................................Elacatinus randalli
76a. Body naked; dark green with about 17-23 narrow, pale
green
bars posterior to pectoral-fin base; side of head with broad postorbital
red to brownish red stripe; pectoral rays usually 20 or 21 (rarely 19)....Elacatinus multifasciatus
76b. Body with at least 2 basicaudal
scales; body pale to dark but
not greenish; no longitudinal stripe on head; pectoral rays 14-18 (rarely
19).......................................77
77a. Body straw-colored, 13 prominent dark mahogany colored
bands
posterior to pectoral-fin
base..........................................................................................................78
77b. Body variously spotted or banded, but if banded, the
bands not
dark mahogany colored and fewer than 13................................................................................79
78a. Adjacent dark bands on body wider than pale interspace; 4 modified
basicaudal scales plus patch of 9-12 scales on side
of caudal peduncle;
pectoral rays typically 18 (17-19).........................................................................Elacatinus zebrellus
78b. Adjacent dark bands on body narrower than pale interspace; 4
modified basicaudal scales plus patch of 4 or 5
scales on side of caudal
peduncle; pectoral rays typically 17 (16-18)..........................................Elacatinus macrodon
79a. Body dark, typically with 8 or 9 dark bands on body posterior to pectoral fin.....80
79b. Body pallid, with conspicuous dark spots or incomplete
bands; if banded,
squamation reduced to 2 basicaudal
scales....................................................................81
80a. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins with rays inconspicuously
barred, interradial
membranes dark; body dark, the bands sometimes difficult to discern on the
dark background; 5-8 rows of scales on side of caudal peduncle................Elacatinus gemmatus
80b. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins not barred; bands usually
easy to discern
and forked dorsally; 8-13 rows of scales on side of caudal
peduncle....................Elacatinus
pallens
81a. Body boldly spotted with dark mahogany brown; 4 or 5
rows of scales on caudal
peduncle...............................................................................................Elacatinus saucrus
81b. Body banded (sometimes indistinctly or with incomplete
bands) posteriorly;
sides of belly with two bright orange spots, separated by two dark bars and
white interspace; only two small basicaudal
scales.................................Elacatinus
dilepis
82a. Short, segment of lateral canal, with pore at each end,
dorsal to
opercle (not to be confused with single pore in lateral
canal dorsoposterior
to preopercular margin); body naked to scaly.....................................................83
82b. No segment of lateral canal and, therefore, no pores dorsal to opercle.................88
83a. Body always naked; anal-fin rays typically 11, rarely
10 or 12;
second dorsal-fin rays typically 13, rarely 12 or 14...................................Gobiosoma bosc
83b. Body with at least two basicaudal
scales, the posterior part of the
body sometimes extensively scaled; anal-fin rays typically 10 (except in ginsburgi);
second dorsal-fin rays typically 10-12, rarely 13.................................................................84
84a. Two small basicaudal
scales, one each at the upper and lower end of the caudal-fin
base; pectoral-fin rays
15-19..........................................................................................85
84b. Sides of caudal peduncle scaly, typically more than
eight transverse rows present;
pectoral-fin rays 18-22 (except in grosvenori,
which is extensively scaled)..................86
85a. Anal-fin rays typically 11, rarely 10 or 12;
pectoral-fin rays 18
or 19 (rarely 17)... .......................................................................Gobiosoma ginsburgi
85b. Anal-fin rays typically 10, rarely 9, pectoral-fin rays
16
(rarely 15 or 17).........................................................................Gobiosoma longipala
86a. Second dorsal-fin rays 10; anal-fin rays 9;
pectoral-fin rays 17
(rarely 16 or 18); 31-35 transverse scale rows along body, the scales
rather deciduous.........................................................................Gobiosoma grosvenori
86b. Second dorsal-fin rays 12 (rarely 11 or 13); anal-fin
rays 10 (rarely 9);
pectoral-fin rays 18-21.............................................................................................87
87a. Scales covering broad triangular area whose apex is on
mid-side toward
pectoral fin, typically in 26-29 transverse rows; pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19,
rarely 20; conspicuous series of short dark dashes along mid-side............Gobiosoma spilotum
87b. Scaled area less extensive, but with mid-lateral row
reaching far forward
and containing about 34-36 scales; pectoral-fin rays 20 or 21.........Gobiosoma hemigymnum
88a. Body entirely naked; no short, bilobed mental barbel; three preopercular pores...Gobiosoma robustum
88b. Body with seven or more transverse rows of scales or,
if only two basicaudal
scales present, chin with short bilobed barbel; two or three preopercular
pores present ..........89
89a. Scales interrupted, with 7-16 transverse rows posteriorly and an isolated
patch posterior to pectoral-fin base; no scales on caudal base; two
preopercular pores present ..................................................................................................90
89b. Scales extending forward, uninterrupted, as a narrow
wedge to pectoral-fin
base, in about 30 transverse rows; three preopercular
pores present...........Gobiosoma hildebrandi
90a. Pectoral-fin rays typically 15 or 16..........................................................................91
90b. Pectoral-fin rays typically 17 or 18..............................................Gobiosoma schultzi
91a. Anal-fin rays 8-11, typically 9; males without
filamentous dorsal-fin
spine.............................................................................................Gobiosoma yucatanum
91b. Anal-fin rays 9-11, typically 10; males with
filamentous dorsal-fin
spine........................................................................................................Gobiosoma spes
Included species of Gobiinae:
W31 = western sector of FAO
Fishing Area 31
S31 = southern sector of FAO
Fishing Area 31
NW41 = northwest sector of
FAO Fishing Area 41
Barbulifer antennatus Bφhlke & Robins, 1968, to 3cm,
Barbulifer ceuthoecus
(Jordan & Gilbert, 1884), to 3cm, s.
Bathygobius curacao (Metzelaar, 1919) to 7.5cm,
Bathygobius mystacium
Ginsburg, 1947, to 15cm,
Bollmannia boqueronensis Evermann
& Marsh, 1902, to 10cm, s.
Bollmannia communis Ginsburg, 1942, to 10cm, s.
Bollmannia eigenmanni
(Garman, 1896), to 18cm, s.
Bollmannia litura Ginsburg,
1935, to 6cm,
Chriolepis benthonis Ginsburg, 1953, to 3.5cm, Yucatan W31
Chriolepis fisheri Herre, 1942, to 2.5cm,
Chriolepis vespa Hastings & Bortone, 1981, to
4cm, n.e.
Coryphopterus alloides Bφhlke & Robins, 1960, to 4cm, s.
Coryphopterus dicrus Bφhlke & Robins, 1960, to 5cm, s. Florida & Bahamas to Antilles and Central America W31
Coryphopterus eidolon Bφhlke & Robins, 1960, to 6cm, s. Florida & Bahamas to Antilles W31
Coryphopterus glaucofraenum
Gill, 1863, to 7.5cm,
Coryphopterus hyalinus Bφhlke & Robins, 1962, to 2.5cm,
Coryphopterus lipernes Bφhlke & Robins, 1962, to 3.2cm, Florida keys & Bahamas to Central America incl.
Antilles W31
Coryphopterus personatus
(Jordan & Thompson, 1905), to 3.5cm,
Coryphopterus punctipectophorus
Springer, 1960, to 7.5cm, both coasts of s.
Coryphopterus thrix Bφhlke & Robins, 1960 to 5cm, s. Florida & Bahamas W31
Elacatinus atronasum (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 2.5cm, Bahamas W31
Elacatinus chancei (Beebe & Hollister, 1933),
to 5cm,
Elacatinus dilepis (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 2.5cm, Bahamas, Grand
Cayman, Lesser Antilles, Belize, and Colombia W31
Elacatinus evelynae (Bφhlke
& Robins, 1968), to 4cm,
Elacatinus gemmatus
(Ginsburg, 1939), to 2.5cm, Bahamas, Cayman
Islands, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles, Belize to Colombia and Venezuela W31
Elacatinus genie (Bφhlke
& Robins, 1968), to 4.5cm,
Elacatinus horsti (Metzelaar, 1922), to 5cm, s. Florida, n. Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama, and Curacao W31
Elacatinus illecebrosus (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 4cm,
Elacatinus louisae (Bφhlke
& Robins, 1968), to 3.8cm,
Elacatinus macrodon (Beebe & Tee‑Van,
1928), to 5cm, s.
Elacatinus mutifasciatus (Steindachner, 1876), to 5cm,
Elacatinus oceanops
Elacatinus pallens
(Ginsburg, 1939), to 1.9cm,
Elacatinus prochilos (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 4cm, n. Gulf of Mexico, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Yucatan and Belize W31
Elacatinus randalli (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 4.6cm,
Elacatinus saucrus (Robins,
1960), to 1.6cm,
Elacatinus tenox (Bφhlke & Robins, 1968), to 2.5cm,
Elacatinus xanthiprora (Bφhlke
& Robins, 1960), to 4cm,
Elacatinus zebrellus
(Robins, 1958), to 2.7cm,
Evermannichthys convictor Bφhlke & Robins, 1969, to 2cm, Bahamas W31
Evermannichthys metzelaari Hubbs, 1923, to 3cm, North
Carolina, Bahamas, n.e. Gulf of Mexcio
to Curacao, Colombia NW31
Evermannichthys silus Bφhlke & Robins, 1969, to 2.5cm, Bahamas W31
Evermannichthys spongicola (Radcliffe,
1917), to 3cm,
Ginsburgellus novemlineatus (Fowler, 1950), to 2.5cm,
Gobiosoma bosc (Lacepθde, 1800), to 6cm,
Gobiosoma ginsburgi Hildebrand & Schroeder,
1928, to 6cm,
Gohiosoma
grosvenori (Robins, 1964), to 3cm, s.e.
Gobiosoma hemigymnum (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888), to 4.8cm, West Indies W31
Gobiosoma hildebrandi (Ginsburg, 1939), to 4cm, Panama Canal W31
Gobiosoma longipala Ginsburg, 1933 to 5cm, Gulf coast of
Gobiosoma robustum Ginsburg, 1933 to 5cm, east coast of
Gobiosoma schultzi (Ginsburg, 1944), to 2.5cm, Venezuela W31
Gobiosoma spes (Ginsburg,
1939), to 4.1cm,
Gobiosoma spilotum (Ginsburg, 1939), to 3cm, Panama W31
Gobiosoma yucatanum
Gobulus myersi
Ginsburg, 1939, to 15cm, s.
Lophogobius
cyprinoides
(Pallas, 1770), to 10cm,
Lythrypnus crocodilus (Beebe
& Tee‑Van, 1928), to 2cm, w.
Lythrypnus elasson Bφhlke & Robins, 1960, to 2cm,
Lythrypnus heterochroma
Ginsburg, 1939, to 2.5cm,
Lythrypnus minimus Garzσn & Acero, 1988, to 1.1cm,
Lythrypnus mowbrayi (Bean, 1906), to 2cm, Bermuda NW31
Lythrypnus nesiotes Bφhlke & Robins 1960, to 2cm, s. Florida & Bahamas, Antilles, n. South America to the w. Caribbean and Texas W31
Lythrypnus okapia Robins
& Bφhlke, 1964, to 1.3cm,
Lythrypnus phorellus Bφhlke & Robins 1960, to 2cm, North Carolina to s. Florida and
Texas, Central America W31
Lythrypnus spilus Bφhlke & Robins, 1960, to 2.5cm, s. Florida & Bahamas to Greater Antilles W31
Microgobius carri Fowler,
1945 to 7.5cm,
Microgobius gulosus (Girard,
1858), to 7.5cm,
Microgobius meeki Evermann & Marsh, 1899, to 5.4cm,
Microgobius microlepis
Longley & Hildebrand, 1940, to 5cm, s. Florida & Bahamas
to
Microgobius signatus Poey, 1876 to 6cm,
Microgobius thalassinus (Jordan & Gilbert,
1883), to 4cm,
Nes longus (Nichols, 1914), to 10cm, Bermuda, s. Florida & Bahamas to Antilles,
Venezuela, Panama, and Yucatan W31
Palatogobius paradoxus
Gilbert, 1971 to 3.5cm, n.e. Gulf of Mexico to Lesser Antilles, Venezuela and Panama W31
Parrella macropteryx Ginsburg, 1939, to 8cm,
Pariah scotius Bφhlke, 1969, to 3cm, Bahamas W31
Priolepis
hipoliti (Metzelaar, 1922), to 4cm, s.
Florida & Bahamas to n. South America W31
Psilotris alepis Ginsburg, 1953, to 2.4cm, Bahamas, Cuba, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Honduras W31
Psilotris amblyrhynchus
Smith and Baldwin, 1999, to 4cm, Belize W31
Psilotris batrachodes Bφhlke, 1963, to 1.9cm, Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands Puerto Rico, Belize, Honduras, Colombia W31
Psilotris boehlkei
Psilotris celsus Bφhlke 1963, to 5.1cm,
Psilotris kaufmani Greenfield, Findley, and Johnson 1993, to 4cm,
Jamaica, Puerto
Rico, Colombia, Belize, Honduras W31
Ptereleotris
calliurus
(Jordan & Gilbert, 1882), to 12.5cm,
Ptereleotris
helenae
(Randall, 1967), to 12cm, s.e.
Pycnomma roosevelti Ginsburg, 1939, to 2.5cm, Venezuela W31
Risor ruber (Rosιn, 1911), to
2.5cm,
Robinsichthys arrowsmithensis Birdsong, 1988, to
3cm, Yucatan W31
Varicus bucca Robins & Bφhlke, 1961, to 3cm, Lesser Antilles W31
Varicus imswe
Varicus marilynae Gilmore, 1979, to 2.5cm, Florida W31
