Sixspot Goby

Description: Characterized by pale grey body color with faint pinkish stripe along lower side; cheek with blue to white spots; first dorsal fin with black tip; absence of filamentous dorsal spines; pointed caudal fin, longer in male, 2.9-3.6 in SL; longitudinal scale series 71-99; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anterior to line from upper pectoral fin base to first dorsal fin origin and on abdomen; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape with scales extending forward short distance anterior to gill opening; partly or fully scaled prepelvic area; depth of body 5.1-6.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social (Ref. 52884).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 11 - 13

Inhabits silty or sandy areas of lagoons and bays (Ref. 9710). Usually in pairs and lives in a burrow under rocks. Commonly seen in aggregations over large areas in lagoons of atolls.

Inhabits silty or sandy areas of lagoons and bays (Ref. 9710, 48637). Usually in pairs and lives in a burrow under rocks. Commonly seen in aggregations over large areas in lagoons of atolls. Monogamous (Ref. 52884).

aquarium: commercial

Valencienna sexguttata, the chalk goby, sixspot goby, sleeper blue dot goby, is a species of goby native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It inhabits bays or lagoons in waters of from 3 to 25 metres (9.8 to 82.0 ft) with silt or sand substrates with larger pieces of rock under which to burrow. This species can reach a length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Inhabits areas with fine, silty, coralline sands. Usually in pairs and live in a burrow under rocks. Commonly seen in aggregations over large areas in lagoons of atolls.