Cup Sponge Goby

Characterized by semi-transparent head and body often covered with dense pepper-like spots; presence of thin brown internal stripe interrupted by eight white dash-like marking along dorsal edge of vertebral column; peritoneum silvery or whitish with pair of large brown blotches; snout with a pair of narrow brown stripes; 3-6 lowermost pectoral rays, unbranched and sometimes thickened; longitudinal scale series 26-32; elongated oval or flattened cup shape formed by pelvic fins; restricted gill opening, ranging from just past lower pectoral fin base to below preopercular margin; fleshy snout overhanging lower jaw (Ref. 90102).

Benthic spawner.

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

Inhabits large sponges, usually on the underside of floppy or fan types that grow on shallow reef flats and down on slopes that are subject to moderate currents (Ref. 48637).

The wolfsnout goby (Luposicya lupus), also known as the dognsout goby or cup-sponge goby, is a species of goby native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. This species lives on large fan-shaped or floppy sponges, particularly Phyllospongia foliascens and Phyllospongia papyracea, growing on reefs at depths down to 15 metres (49 ft). This species grows to a length of 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. It spans benthically and is a solitary species.