Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean online information system

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Genus: Microdesmus, Worm Fishes, Worm Gobies, Wormfish Goby


All Families:   All Genera:   All Species:

slender, v elongated
D & A fully joined to C
gill opening large, not tubular
scales well separated

MICRODESMUS

WORM GOBIES, WORM FISHES

Slender, very elongate, wormlike, body height 3-9% of SL; small eyes on side of head; mouth strongly oblique, lower jaw heavy, protruding; teeth in 1-3 rows; gill opening large (not tubular); one, long based continuous dorsal fin, spines evenly spaced; anal fin 0 spines; dorsal and anal fins confluent with tail fin; pectoral fins 10-14 rays; pelvic fins minute, I, 3 rays; scales well separated; no lateral line.

A tropical genus of 16 species, found on both sides of the Atlantic as well as our region, where it is represented by 5 endemic species.