Spinecheek goby
📖 Overview
Inhabits silty bottoms of inner lagoons and bays . Solitary or in pairs . Also occurred in shallow to deep coastal sand and mud flats, usually on the sand near large depression with burrow in the middle .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 10. Males with more intense blue spots on the head and more colorful markings on fins than females; subadults lack the blue and yellow spotting but have more black spots ; characterized further by having forth and fifth dorsal spines prolonged in male and may have filamentous tips; strong and sharp tipped first spine of each dorsal fin; united pelvic fins, well developed frenum present; rounded caudal fin, shorter than head length; longitudinal scale series 29-30; predorsal scales about 13; mainly ctenoid scales on body; cycloid scales on prepectoral area, breast and abdomen; preopercular margin just above angle with 1-3 small spines; depth of body 4.0-4.6 in SL .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spinecheek goby is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m , usually 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 22°C - 29°C East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Spinecheek goby is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 150 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spinecheek goby has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pretty Lagoon Goby · Pretty Lagoon-goby · Spinecheek Goby |
| 🌍CES | hlaváč otrněný |
| 🇩🇪German | Trauerfahnen-Grundel |
| 🇫🇷French | Gobie à joues épineuses · Gobie à préopercule armé |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Keshohaze · ケショウハゼ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Góbio-opala |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Обыкновенный оплопомус |
| 🌍TAH | 'o'opu |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 刺蓋鰕虎魚 · 蓋刺鰕虎 |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Spinecheek goby.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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