Loach goby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (March 2008) |
The Loach Goby Rhyacichthys aspro is a goby, the only member of the family Rhyacichthyidae.
Thacker and Hardman's study of the molecular phylogeny of the gobies indicates that the loach goby is the most primitive member of the gobioidei.[1] The loach goby is not fished commercially.
Contents |
[edit] Description
The loach goby is 25-32cm long. It has 8 dorsal spines and 8 or 9 soft dorsal rays. There is one anal spine and 8 or 9 anal rays. The head is flattened vetically, with a snout and small eyes. The mouth is on the underside and has a fleshy upper lip. The Body laterally compressed toward the slightly forked tail, There is a well developed lateral line system. The pelvic fins separate, with enlarged musculature. In colour it is light brown, with darker, longitudinal stripes on its flanks There are also dark stripes on the dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
The loach goby lives in tropical waters between 24°N and 13°S in both marine and freshwater environments, in the western Pacific ocean. It can be found in steep coastal streams.
[edit] Habits
The loach goby normally clings to rocks in fast-flowing streams, using the rocks as hiding places when threatened. It moves swift darting movements. It eats the algae growing on the rock surfaces.
