Genus: Microgobius, Gobies

MICROGOBIUS

GOBIES

Head and body compressed; generally a fleshy crest on nape in one or both sexes of most species; 2-3 pores on preopercle, no pore between front of eyes; mouth large, nearly vertical; tip of tongue divided; no teeth on front of roof of mouth; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VII (some elongate) + I, 14-18 rays; length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal I, 14-20 rays; tail fin long, oval or pointed (in males); pelvics fused to form disc, I, 5; scales small (35-90 lateral rows), smooth; body scaled from rear forward to tip of depressed pectoral fin, head scaleless; no lateral line.

A new world tropical to subtropical genus with 14 species; 8 endemics in our region.