Species: Cerdale floridana, Pugjaw Wormfish, Pugjaw Wormfish Goby

Cerdale floridana Longley, 1934

Pugjaw Wormfish, Pugjaw Wormfish Goby

Elongate and eel like, but relatively short and stubby, (body height 7.7-12% of SL); small eyes on side of head; front nostril a short, widely flared tube, rear nostril a pore with a raised rim; mouth strongly oblique, lower jaw projecting, snout and lower jaw rounded; tongue with blunt, straight tip; lower lip entire, not notched below anterior nostril; 2 rows of teeth on each jaw, conical outer row, chisel-like inner row; gill opening a tube at front lower margin of pectoral fin base; one, long based continuous dorsal fin, XII-XIV, 31-33 (30-34); anal fin 0, 30-31 (28-33); dorsal and anal fins usually connected to caudal by a low membrane; pectoral fin 13-14 (13-15); pelvic fins minute, I, 3 rays; scales separate to close-set and partly overlapping; body and head covered with small, smooth scales except on snout and lower jaw; no lateral line.

Pale tan to yellowish green, upper body peppered with small dots.

Reaches 9 cm.

Lives hidden in small crevices in corals, rocks and wood in coastal areas.

Depth range 1-30 m.

Bermuda to the S Caribbean.