Species: Priolepis hipoliti, Rusty Goby

Priolepis hipoliti (Metzelaar, 1922)

Rusty Goby

Body chunky; no head pores; mouth opens up, oblique, with projecting lower jaw; teeth in upper jaw with innermost row somewhat enlarged, outer row of canines extends to middle of jaw, rear canine longest, 4-6 on each side; lower jaw with innermost row somewhat enlarged, outer row of canines extends to midpoint of jaw, rear canine longest, 4-6 on each side; gill openings broad, extending to below preoperculum; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VI (second spine elongate) + I, 9 (8-10); length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal fin I, 8 (7-9); pectoral fin 18 (16-19); pelvic fins I,5, fully united at base, but with no front membrane between spines; tail fin rounded; scales rough, large, over entire body, 28-31 (27-32) in lateral series; scales on opercle; nape fully scaled; no lateral line.

Dull olive to dull orange with 7 narrow pale bars from head to tail base; vertical fins and pectorals with bright orange spots in oblique rows, 7 vertical rows on tail fin; a dark stripe along base of 1st dorsal fin.

Reaches: 4.0 cm.

Habitat: Coral reefs, usually on undersides of ledges and roofs of caves.

Depth: 2-117 m.

Bermuda to Brazil.