Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Characterized by pale grey to whitish body color with three brown bars on side; blue-white band below eye; first dorsal fin with ocellated black spot; presence of narrow dark brown saddles below anterior part of second dorsal fin and dorsally on caudal peduncle; brown with narrow blue margin, outer half of caudal fin; without filamentous dorsal spines; rounded caudal fin, equal or slightly shorter than head; longitudinal scale series 70-88; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anteriorly in front of first dorsal fin; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape with scales extending forward slightly anterior to opening of gill; pectoral fin base and prepelvic area usually scaled; depth of body 5.0-5.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Gobiiformes

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Valenciennea

Species: Valenciennea wardii (Playfair, 1867)

Climate Zone

Biology

Found in sandy areas of shallow lagoon reefs. Inhabits coastal bays and inner reefs, usually on deep silty slopes from about 15 meters down (Ref. 48637). Occurs in pairs (Ref. 90102).

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless