Common Name
Leopard Goby
Year Described
Robins, 1960
Identification
Dorsal Fin: VII, 11
Anal Fin: 9-10 (usually 10)
Pectoral Fin: 15-17 (usually 16)
Caudal Fin: 17 (segmented)
Vertebrae: 11 precaudal, 17 caudal; 27 total
Body elongate with a blunt snout. Two preopercular pores. A small patch of scales on caudal peduncle. Four modified basicaudal scales. Last 2 dorsal spines separated more than the anterior five. Anterior spine may be elongate in mature males. Pelvic fin forms a fused disk.
Color
Body translucent with two rows of golden-brown spots on the side: one under dorsal fins and one on lower side. The spots are darkened by a dense speckling of melanophores, which become sparser in interspaces. Spots and lines become red or orange on the head. Cheek red. Gut bright white with two dark blotches. Vertebrae banded white and black. Fins lightest basally, with dense concentrations of brown and black melanophores.
Size
Maximum size to 16mm SL.
Habitat
Found on shallow coral reefs (<30m) perched on coral heads.
Range
Caribbean Sea: the Bahamas to the Lesser Antilles.
References
Böhlke, J. E., & Robins, C. R. 1968. Western Atlantic seven-spined gobies, with descriptions of ten new species and a new genus, and comments on Pacific relatives. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 120, 45-174.