Species: Microgobius thalassinus, Green Goby

Microgobius thalassinus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883)

Green Goby

Head and body compressed; narrow between eyes; crest on nape absent in males, low in females; 2 pores on preopercle, no pore between front of eyes; mouth large, ~45 degrees from horizontal, upper jaw slightly larger in males (<15% SL) than in females; tip of tongue divided; no teeth on front of roof of mouth; lower jaw with 7-9 enlarged canines in outer row; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VII, spines slightly produced as filaments in males, not produced in females, + I, 14-16 rays; length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal fin I, 14-16 rays; pectoral fin 21-22 (19-23); pelvic fins I, 5, fused to form disc; tail fin long (but <40% SL), oval; scales small, mostly smooth; body scaled from rear forward to tip of depressed pectoral fin, head scaleless; lateral scale rows 43-50; no lateral line.

Color highly variable, depending on time of year; brilliant green color on body; belly with a blue area of varying size; three translucent bars crossing over body close behind head; head with two brilliant narrow blue and green stripes running across cheek below eye; dorsal whitish with two or three lengthwise series of large reddish-brown spots, 1st dorsal with a large black spot at upper rear edge, 2nd dorsal with a yellow stripe a little above its base; upper and central rays of tail fin marked with red.

Reaches 6.0 cm.

Depth: less than 1-15 m.

Habitat: sand and muddy bottoms habitats, including oyster beds, also in tidal pools.

Maryland to the SW Gulf of Mexico.