Description

Body design

This is very variable. In its palest form, the body is pale grey and has fine brown dots which are gathered into five patches evenly spaced along the body. In darker forms, these become more distinct and there are also, between them. small yellow patches, sometimes forming pairs of vertical lines In the darkest forms there is more black pigment and the body appears to have ten untidy bands. In addition, small blue iridescent patches are added to the mix, making a complex and variable pattern.

The head is darker above and paler below, but plain. The only pattern is a series of reflective blue and yellow squiggles.

Fin design

The dorsal fin is pentagonal, and translucent, with faint rows of yellow spots. These are continued on the rectangular second dorsal fin.

The pelvic fin may be opaque, bright yellow with a blue and then an orange-brown border, or opaque brown covered in blue speckles.

The anal fin is divided into a brown proximal and white distal band. the caudal fin is translucent with yellow and blue lines on the lower portion.

Diagnostic features

The most convincing feature is the brightly coloured pelvic fin.

Similar species

Tomiyamichthys species

Taxonomy

Originally described in genus Ctenogobiops