Species: Elacatinus centralis, Cayman Sponge Goby

Elacatinus centralis Victor, 2014

Cayman Sponge Goby

Elongate; head compressed; mouth opens at front; top jaw separated from snout by a distinct groove; tongue tip truncate; upper teeth in two rows with the outer row short, ending in two enlarged, recurved fangs; inner row of lower jaw with two or three large, recurved fangs; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VII + I, 11; length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal fin I, 10 (9-10); pectoral fins 17-19; pelvic fins I,5, disk complete; tail rounded; no scales; no lateral line.

Upper head and body black, lower head and body white; a thin pale stripe from top of eye to tail fin base, wider and yellow at front, narrowing and fading to white at rear; snout and top lip dark, with yellow tinge; young juveniles with complete yellow stripe, and dark snout.

Reaches: 5 cm.

Habitat: Found in tubular sponges.

Depth: 2-50 m.

Cayman Islands