Hookcheek Dwarfgoby

This species is distinguished from its congeners by following set of characters: cephalic sensory-pore system pattern group 2 (lacking only IT pore); dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 8/7; pectoral-fin rays simple; 5th pelvic-fin ray 10% of 4th; no distinct dark marks on body; scales not strongly pigmented; caudal fin with 5 irregular bands of circles of dark chromatophores crossing the fin; live or fresh specimens with a hook-shaped orange mark on side of the head (Ref. 86696).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7