Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,10, with no prolonged spines; A I,9; pectoral-fin rays 14-15, with 2 upper rays having short free tips; pelvic-fin rays I,5, with fifth ray unbranched or with one bifurcation; pelvic fins are separated and without fraenum; scales absent; head canals absent; suborbital rows of papillae with 4 transversal rows; anterior nostril long tube without process from the rim, posterior nostril short tube, about 1/3 length of anterior nostril; gill opening is restricted to pectoral-fin base; in life body transparent with scattered tiny whitish blue and brownish yellow spots aligned in vertical rows, and the vertical dark bar at the caudal-fin base; predorsal area is mottled with brown; head with dark brown bar extending obliquely from eye to upper lip, and 3 iridescent bluish blotches on cheek; when preserved coloration pattern is mostly lost except dark bar at caudal-fin base (Ref. 94944).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Gobiiformes

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Hetereleotris

Species: Hetereleotris psammophila Kovačić & Bogorodsky, 2014

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Observed on sand bottom close to coral reefs and found to be active at night. It was also observed in Naama Bay, Gulf of Aqaba at depth of 8 m. When disturbed, it quickly retreated, but not trying to hide or burrow in the sand (Ref. 94944).

Habitat

benthopelagic