Meander Dwarfgoby

This species is characterized by the following: reduced predorsal scales, usually not crossing the midline (midline naked or partly naked); cycloid scales at sides of nape reaching to above a point between posterior margin of operculum and eyes; no scales on cheeks nor opercles; pectoral base usually fully scaled, posterodorsal 2 scales slightly enlarged; prepelvic covered with small cycloid scales in 5-6 rows; interorbital narrow, with moderate groove; groove absent or very shallow behind eyes (shallow between eyes and absent behind eyes in juveniles); a low distinct ridge at posterior end of interorbital; gill opening extending forward to below posterior margin of pupil; nape crest low from first dorsal origin to above posterior opercular margin, reaching to the shallow median groove; groove extending to just behind eyes; pectoral rays unbranched or with 1-5 rays branched at extreme tips; fifth pelvic ray unbranched, rest of rays with 2 terminal tips; D2 usually I,9; A usually I,8; pelvic fins largely separate, connected only at base; fins widely separate, distance between 2 fins greater than base of single pelvic fin; pelvic scale covering membrane, with fifth ray about one-fourth to one-half length of fourth ray; dark brown spot or bar extending posteroventrally from eye, body with irregular brown interconnecting bars, forming zigzag pattern (Ref. 86884).

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9; Vertebrae: 26

Occurs in mid to outer barrier reefs, but much more common on outer barrier islands (Ref. 86820). Also found in caves and crevices (Ref. 90102).

Occurs in mid to outer barrier reefs, but much more common on outer barrier islands (Ref. 86820). Also found in caves and crevices (Ref. 90102).