Emperor reefgoby (Priolepis akihitoi), first described by Hoese & Larson, 2010 is a small fish in the family Gobiidae (order Gobiiformes). Adults typically reach 5.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 3 to 25 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 Data Deficient.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Gobiidae kept in the hobby.
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: eyes slightly elevated resulting in a shallow pit in interorbital area and a shallow groove along dorsoposterior margin of eye; ctenoid scales completely covering predorsal, reaching to above mideye, anteriormost scales sometimes cycloid, no naked patch immediately before the first dorsal spine; small cycloid scales cover pectoral base; 11-13 rows of small cycloid scales cover prepelvic area; cheek usually no scales, rarely with 1 or 2 scales near dorsoposterior margin of preoperculum; operculum with a patch of small ctenoid scales dorsally; usually, D2 I,10, A I,8, pectoral rays 20; sensory papilla rows on cheek with transverse pattern; pelvic fins connected to form a plate, no interspinal membrane; head and body with narrow light bands, and with dark edges; a large elongate black spot anteriorly on first dorsal fin; 3-4 short vertical dark brown bars on dorsal part of caudal fin; mouth oblique, forming an angle of about 40°-45° with body axis .: fusiform / normal.
Behavioural data for Emperor reefgoby is currently being reviewed.
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 25 m . Subtropical East Indo-West Pacific: Japan to Australia (WA to NSW), and New Caledonia.
The following diseases are known to affect Emperor reefgoby.
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