Spotted Wriggler

This species is characterized by the following: second dorsal-fin rays I, 12-13 (usually I, 12); A I, 11-12 (usually I, 11); vertebrae 10 + 17; indented tongue; posterior naris with well-developed flap on anterior rim; upper sides of the body with 12 large, closely spaced spots, these usually do not extend to dorsal edge of body; predorsal area broadly scaled to about vertical through posterior edge of preopercle (Ref. 59014).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 27

A benthic, inshore species found in coral reefs (Ref. 75154). Also found in sand patches among reefs and rubble, often in surge areas (Ref 90102).

Xenisthmus eirospilus, the spotted wriggler, is a species of fish in the wriggler family, Xenisthmidae, which is regarded as a synonymous with the Eleotridae,. It is distributed in the western Pacific from Middleton Reef and Ashmore Reef off Australia, West Papua, Indonesia, to Rotuma and Tonga. Its habitat is sand patches among reefs and rubble, as well as in shallow surge areas.