Kestrel goby
📖 Overview
Kestrel goby (Gobius xoriguer), first described by Iglésias, Vukić & Šanda, 2021 is a small fish in the family Gobiidae (order Gobiiformes). Adults typically reach 6.40 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 51 to 104 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Gobiidae kept in the hobby.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 13. This species is distingushed by the follwoing set of characters: large eyes, ~27-28% of head length; (2) anterior nostril with a small triangular process; (3) 14 soft rays on D2, 13 soft rays on A; (4) enlarged first dorsal fin rays (adult males), with third D1 spine the longest, 23-27% SL; (5) uppermost P fin rays not free from membrane; (6) long V-shape pelvic fins, ~19% of standard length; (7) 50-51 scales on LL; (8) head oculoscapular canal with pores ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?1, ?2, and preopercular canal with pores ?, ?, ? present; (9) row x1 ending anteriorly behind pore ?; (10) a groove section between pore ? and ?1 connecting the anterior and the posterior oculoscapular canals; (11) suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; (12) rows o separated; (13) seven enlarged orange blotches on body side; (14) white dots on cheek and opercle on an orange background.Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Kestrel goby is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 51 - 104 m . Subtropical; 45°N - 37°N, 6°W - 17°E Known only from these 3 localities (as of 2021).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Kestrel goby.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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