Sign Eviota

Eviota sigillata is a species of marine fish in the family Gobiidae. They are widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area, from the Seychelles to the Micronesia.

Description

This pygmy goby can reach a length of 3 centimetres (1.2 in). Characterized by semi-translucent body with irregular, internal reddish midlateral stripe. White stripe is along spinal column interrupted by reddish bars that extend ventrally. Row of small reddish spots is along dorsal midline. It is usually with narrow reddish bars above anal fin. It often has prolonged and filamentous first four dorsal spines of male and first three of female. It has unbranched pectoral rays. Longitudinal scale series 21-24; ctenoid scales, absent on head , nape and pectoral fin base; depth of body 4.3-5.0 in SL. Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Seychelles to Indonesia, north to Japan (Ogasawara Islands); east to Micronesia and Melanesia to Wallis and Futuna; south to Australia (Western Australia and Great Barrier Reef). The species in Fiji and Tonga is considered E. cf. sigillata.

Habitat

It inhabits reef habitats at depths of from 3 to 20 metres (66 ft). This species has the shortest lifespan for a vertebrate, living for at most 59 days. About three weeks are as pelagic larvae, two weeks settling on the reef and three weeks as adults.