Description:

Dorsal spines: 7; Dorsal rays: 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal rays: 9-11.  

Moderately-elongate, tube-like body thicker anteriorly tapering posteriorly. Mouth with overhanging snout, lips greatly thickened. Prominent eyes situated dorsolaterally.

Colour. Body colour varies pale grey through cream to yellowish. Body with 3-4 longitudinal rows of white spots. 2 thin brown longitudinal lines dorsally. 8 midlateral 
rectangular black longitudinal spots. 7-8 enlarged black spots in horizontal line ventrally. Operculum with 5 small blue spots interspersed with brownish red spots. 
5 vertical rows of white spots on pectoral fins. Anterior tip of first dorsal fin bright yellow. Dorsal and caudal fins with dark spots. Female pelvic and anal fins not 
as darkly pigmented as in male.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 11 cm TL.

 Inhabits brackish to marine habitats: mangroves rocky areas, rubble reefs and rock pools (depth 0-2m). Solitary. Feeds on small invertebrates. A benthic spawner.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not caught in the artisanal fishery.
 

Bray, D.J. (2018). Istigobius ornatus in Fishes of Australia, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/3059 (20/05/20).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2020). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/4322 (20/05/20).
Sparks, J.S. et al. (2016). Istigobius ornatus. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T193213A2209712.en. (04/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Istigobius ornatus, Ornate goby. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/istigobius-ornatus-ruppell-1830/ (revised 04/07/22).