Candycane Dwarfgoby

Description

It has white background with 8 distinct vertical bars on head and body. It has yellow spots on the medial fins. A well-defined dark red bar is across the postorbital region of the skull (may be partially obscured by the overlying anterior extension of the epaxialis body musculature in larger specimens). No scales on head, opercle, cheek or nape. A second dorsal spine varying from slightly to very elongate (as far as the mid-peduncle). A well-developed interorbital trench. A variably-developed postorbital trench (usually developed). A fifth pelvic fin ray which is unbranched and 50-85% of the fourth. Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10.

Distribution

Western Pacific: Philippines, Caroline Is., Fiji, Marshall Islands and Palau.

Habitat

It is solitary or in small groups on surface of hard corals. Inhabits steep outer reef slopes in 12-35 m.