Starry Goby

Asterropteryx semipunctatus is a species of true goby from the family Gobiidae. It is the type species of the genus Asterropteryx.

Description

Body is tan to black in color with light blue spots. Midside is with small elongate dark spots. It has short vertical bars or saddles above. It is characterized further byprolonged third dorsal spine, forms long filament in adult. Longitudinal scale series 23-25; ctenoid scales; head scaled except snout and interorbital space; 3-9 close-set spines on edge of preopercle just above the corner; rounded caudal fin; depth of body 3.0-3.6 in SL. Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9.

Distribution

It is a widespread species, found from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Hawaii and the Line Islands, north to Japan and south to Lord Howe Island, as well as Western Australia and New South Wales.

Habitat

It is found on reef rocks covered in algae and among the rubble of the inner flats and turbid lagoons. It uses burrows and holes in the reef to hide in and it feeds on small benthic invertebrates. This species is found either living a solitary life but has also been recorded in small groupss or in small groups.