Gobiodon prolixus Winterbottom & Harold, 2005

Gobiodon prolixus Winterbottom & Harold, 2005 View in CoL : Elongate Coralgoby

Synonyms or described as: No recorded synonyms.

Description: Only in recent years has Gobiodon prolixus been separated from congeners with a similar appearance, namely G. quinquestrigatus and G. rivulatus . Gobiodon prolixus has five narrow pale blue vertical lines on the facial region, a feature it shares with G. quinquestrigatus . The main body colouration ranges from a light orange to a more translucent greenish colour, often with a line of pale elongate spots visible along the lateral line ( Figure 22 View FIGURE 22 ). A slightly darker reticulate pattern can often be observed between the eyes on the dorsal surface. The main distinguishing feature that sets this species apart from congeners with similar facial patterns, is a more elongate body shape and rounder head ( Winterbottom and Harold, 2005).

Distribution: Prevalent throughout the northern reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans (Chagos Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and the Pacific Islands) ( Winterbottom and Harold, 2005; GBIF.Org, 2024).

Habitat: Gobiodon prolixus has been most frequently observed on the corymbose coral Acropora valida , ( Winterbottom and Harold, 2005; GBIF.Org, 2024). Although not officially observed on the Great Barrier Reef, it is suggested they would be found in the region ( Winterbottom and Harold, 2005). Gobiodon prolixus has also been observed in the Red Sea and southern Indian Ocean ( Herler, Bogorodsky and Suzuki, 2013; GBIF.Org, 2024).

Status: The population status is described as ‘Least Concern’ ( Larson, 2019g).

Sociality: Gobiodon prolixus has not been included in any sociality index analyses.

Genetics: The species has not been included in any genetic analyses.