Moon Spotted Shrimp Goby

This species is distinguished by the following characters: shares with Vanderhorstia papillo the elongated 5" (upper lobe) and 9" (lower lobe) branched caudal fin rays; differs from V. papillo in having more lateral scales (41-45 vs. 27); no scales in the predorsal midline (vs. 11); a unique color pattern (off-white background with large yellow spots along the midlateral body vs. such spots absent, and absence of four dark gray brown saddles on body vs. present); adults with both third and fourth dorsal spines elongate; more lower gill rakers on the first arch (16-17 vs. 10); fewer pseudobranch filaments (6-7 vs. 9); a single papilla in row c on the cheek (vs. 4) and row b not interrupted (vs. in two sections) (Ref. 53948).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 26

Based on a photo taken from the Philippines, it is reasonable to assume that it is associated with burrows made and occupied by alphaeid shrimps (albeit no visible evidence of the shrimp in the image), as is the case in all it congeners for which information is available (Ref. 53948). Found in sand-rubble bottoms in 5-20 m (Ref 90102).