Description

Body design

A smallish grey goby about 6 cm long with brown markings. White on breast and abdomen. The lateral aspect, below the level of the first dorsal fin, is marked by 4 or 5 fairly large oval yellow patches with a brown border. Further back than this there is a pattern of yellow and blue reflective dots which are usually coalesced into about 8 patches each resting on a Y-shaped dark brown support.

The head and gill cover are decorated with yellow spots against a reflective blue background and extend to the base of the pectoral fin. The upper part of the gill cover has a red-brown patch and there is a metallic blue line running back from above the eyes.

Fin design 

The first dorsal fin has a central black spot with a white base surrounded by a delicate filigree pattern like that on the pelvic fin. There are also indistinct yellow markings that extend onto the second dorsal fin as spots. The anal fin is translucent. The pelvic fin has a very delicate pattern of minute black and white lines before becoming opaque white at the aft edge.

Diagnostic features

This fish is easily confused with Vanderhorstia dorsomacula. The best distinguishing feature is the 5 oval yellow-brown patches below the first dorsal fin which are narrow and irregular in the latter species. Unfortunately, intermediate patterns are sometimes seen.

Similar species 

V dorsomacula is difficult to distinguish. The main field characters is dark ringed yellow patches behind the pectoral fin, and these are poorly defined in some individuals. The pattern on the dorsal fin of the female differes in having a large triangular spot inthe centre.  V belloides has a mainly transparent dorsal fin with a small black spot in some individuals. 

This photo shows two shrimp gobies sharing a burrow. By their markings, they would be identified as V belloides and V dorsomacula.