Paintedface Dwarfgoby

This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-canal pore system complete (pattern 1), with the PITO pore very small; dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 9/8; some of pectoral-fin rays are branched; 5th pelvic-fin ray present; presence of a distinct dark occipital spot (intense in preservative, but visible in life); no series of small dark spots along dorsal-fin bases; 2 separate orange spots behind the eye; distinctive black marks on the underside of the head; side of head with large round red spots; scleral surface of eye with bold dark-brown-and-white markings (Ref. 115282).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 8

This species occurs in shallow fringing reef which is subject to significant terrigenous sedimentation and relatively warm water due to the limited circulation in the large bay of Teluk Saleh. Often found resting on live massive coral colonies (Ref. 115282).