Analogues: (ventral midline series x3: thorax, anal fin, caudal peduncle streak) Larval T. multifasciatus share this melanophore pattern with several congeners, but have many more pectoral-fin rays and a short cup-shaped pelvic fin extending less than half-way to the vent. The congeners, T. saucrus, T. dilepis, and the cleaner gobies have distinctly longer and prominent cup-shaped pelvic fins. Larval E. multifasciatus and the congeners can be separated from the very common six-spined gobies with the same VMSx3 melanophore pattern primarily by the length of the caudal peduncle streak. Most larval Coryphopterus and Lythrypnus (all six-spined) have their caudal peduncle streak extending to the start of the procurrent caudal-fin rays vs. about half-way for the seven-spined gobies. Many of those six-spined species also have a prominent melanophore at the corner of the jaw, absent on the seven-spined larvae. Also distinctive is the cup-shaped pelvic fin on larval E. multifasciatus; the seven-spined gobies tend to have flat pelvic fins.
Diagnosis: Fused pelvic fins and modal fin-ray counts of D-VII,11-12 A-10 and the high pectoral-fin ray count of 20-21 indicates the Tigrigobius multifasciatus species complex, comprising T. multifasciatus in the Bahamas and Antilles, T. panamensis in Panama and T. rubrigenis in the Bay of Honduras. Gobiosoma hemigymnum shares the high pectoral-fin ray count, but has 12-13 second-dorsal-fin elements. Gobiosoma spilotum (Panama Canal) can also overlap, but has a mode of 19 pectoral-fin rays. Gobiosoma nudum, a Pacific species reported in the Caribbean only near the mouth of the Panama Canal, has 20 pectoral-fin rays (18-20), but should have 12-13 second-dorsal-fin elements, not often 11 as in this larval type. (PE) G405
Description: Body thin, long and somewhat narrow with a large eye and a terminal mouth. Pectoral fins fins long, pelvic fins form an obvious short cup (a protruding frenum) extending less than halfway to the vent. Dorsal and anal-fin bases relatively short, caudal peduncle relatively long and narrow. Lightly marked along the lower body: melanophores along the ventral midline at the pelvic-fin insertion (rarely also at the isthmus), along the anal-fin base (paired, one per side) and extending along the ventral peduncle ending well before the start of the procurrent caudal-fin rays. Internal melanophores at the dorsal surface of the swim bladder.
The Green banded goby, Tigrigobius multifasciatus, is a member of the goby family native to the western Atlantic ocean, from the Bahamas and Central America to northern South America. As the name implies, they are dark green with 17-23 pale green bars, and have a brown stripe through the eye interrupted with a bright red spot. It is believed by many that these markings imitate the Juvenile Schoolmaster Snapper.
Equally bright as their coloration is their personality; they are valued additions to reef aquaria, with a reputation for being friendly and entertaining.
Tigriogobius multifasciatus have a generally fusiform shape. At maturity they can reach a length of 3.5 cm.
The green banded goby is popular with aquarists and is generally considered to be reef safe. It is especially suited to nano reef tanks because of its small size.
Because of territorial issues with their own kind in the small confines of a tank, they are best kept singly or as a breeding pair.
Tigrigobius multifasciatus is not found on the IUCN Red List. The species is highly resilient, with localized populations able to double within fifteen months.
Gobiodon sp. start life as females, and are bi-directional protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that when paired up, if necessary, one changes sex to form a breeding pair. In the case of two females forming a pair, the larger of the two becomes male, and in the case of two males, the smaller changes sex to become female.
The Green banded goby, Tigrigobius multifasciatus, is a member of the goby family native to the western Atlantic ocean, from the Bahamas and Central America to northern South America. As the name implies, they are dark green with 17-23 pale green bars, and have a brown stripe through the eye interrupted with a bright red spot. It is believed by many that these markings imitate the Juvenile Schoolmaster Snapper.
Equally bright as their coloration is their personality; they are valued additions to reef aquaria, with a reputation for being friendly and entertaining.
