Species: Varicus benthonis, Deepwater Goby

Varicus benthonis (Ginsburg, 1953)

Deepwater Goby

Body compressed; head broad, somewhat flattened; head without pores; eyes very large, close together; most parts of head and nape with small numbers of papillae; anterior and posterior nostrils tubular, front one longer; tongue tip rounded; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VII + I, 8; length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal fin I, 7; pectoral 16, pelvic fins I, 5, completely separate, rays 1-4 branch 1-2 times in outer half of ray, without flattened tips, 5th ray not branched, much shorter than 4th, < pelvic spine, fins long, reach to anus; head & front of body scaleless, scales extend forwards to mid-flank under 2nd dorsal ray 6, in lateral series 12, smooth in front, smooth to weakly rough at back, 2 large very rough scales on tail fin base; belly scaleless; no lateral line.

Preserved fish pale yellowish.

Reaches 3.5 cm.

Habitat: reefs.

Depth: 154-350 m.

SW Gulf of Mexico.