Genus: Gobionellus, Gobies, Highfin Goby

GOBIONELLUS

GOBIES

Elongate, compressed; snout broadly to sharply rounded; front nostril tubular; rear nostril a pit; large eyes, high on sides of head; between eyes narrow to moderately broad; a single pore between eyes; mouth opens at front, oblique; teeth on both jaws conical, fine and numerous, 1-3 rows on top jaw (inner row may be strongly curved), 2-3 rows on bottom jaw, no large canines near front of bottom jaw; preopercular canal with 3 pores; numerous elongate gill rakers with flexible bases; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VI + I, 13-15; length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal I, 13-15; pelvic I, 5, disk complete; tail fin long and pointed; scales rough, body completely scaled, head scaleless; no lateral line.

A tropical genus with 11 species; 1 endemic in the Greater Caribbean.