Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
Genus: Gobiidae (Gobies), Gobiiformes (Gobies)
Scientific Name: Istigobius ornatus
English Name: Ornate goby
Creole Name:
French Name:
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 25-27; Anal rays: 24-25.
Greyish to greenish brown dorsally, with small pale spots. Whitish ventrally with yellow spots that can coalesce to form a reticulum particularly posteriorly. 3 large
oval white spots along the back and a small one dorsally on caudal peduncle; a broad white streak often on side of body posterior to upper end of gill opening. White
blotches and mid-lateral stripe can disappear with growth. An oblique groove before the eye; large bony scales behind gill opening. Caudal peduncle depressed, slender
and tapering. Yellow bands on dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin, yellow with white bars and stripes pattern and diffuse black margin, double emarginate, lobes longer
with growth.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 60cm TL
Habitat and Ecology:
Reef associated. Inhabits mud and silt sand bottoms (depth 7-350m), usually 7-100m depth on sand, sponge, and weed bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals, including crabs,
molluscs and sea urchins. Juveniles in sheltered coastal bays and estuaries.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in both the fish trap and hand line fisheries and is, along with Sufflamen fraenatum,
the most commonly caught triggerfish in the artisanal fishery.
Notes:
Abalistes stellaris is a synonym for this species.
References:
Bray, D.J. (2018). Abalistes stellatus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/759 (30/10/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase https://www.fishbase.de/summary/abalistes-stellatus (30/10/18)
Matsuura, K. (2015). Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014. Ichthyol Res (2015)
62:72–113 DOI 10.1007/s10228-014-0444-5
Matsuura, K. & Motomura, H. (2015). Abalistes stellatus. The IUCN Red List 2015: e.T193587A56996805. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/193587/56996805 (18/06/22). .
Matsuura K, Yoshino T (2004). A new triggerfish of the genus Abalistes (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae) from the western Pacific. Rec Aust Mus 56:189-194
Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. & Mason-Parker, C. (2019). Abalistes stellatus, Starry triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/abalistes-stellatus-anonymous-1798/ (updated 18/06/22).
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.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 11 cm TL.
Habitat and Ecology:
Inhabits brackish to marine habitats: mangroves rocky areas, rubble reefs and rock pools (depth 0-2m). Solitary. Feeds on small invertebrates. A benthic spawner.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not caught in the artisanal fishery.
Notes:
References:
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
Citation:
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).
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