Tuesday 30 October 2012

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

The Loach Goby, Rhyacichthys aspro, is a goby belonging to the family Rhyacichthyidae. Thacker and Hardman's study of the molecular phylogeny of the gobies indicates that the loach goby is the most primitive member of the gobioidei. The loach goby is not fished commercially. The loach goby is 25–32 cm long. It has 8 dorsal spines and 8 or 9 soft dorsal rays. There is one anal spine and 8 or 9 anal rays. The head is flattened vertically, with a snout and small eyes. The mouth is on the underside and has a fleshy upper lip. The Body is laterally compressed toward the slightly forked tail, and there is a well-developed lateral line system. The pelvic fins are separate, with enlarged musculature. In colour it is light brown, with darker, longitudinal stripes on its flanks. There are also dark stripes on the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. The loach goby lives in tropical waters between 24°N and 13°S in both marine and freshwater environments, in the western Pacific ocean. It can be found in steep coastal streams. The loach goby normally clings to rocks in fast-flowing streams, using the rocks as hiding places when threatened. It makes swift darting movements. It eats the algae growing on the rock surfaces.

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby

Loach Goby


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