Blacktail Goby

Light blue to pale bluish gray; upper edge of operculum with a longitudinal iridescent blue band divided into 2 sections. Caudal fin yellowish, some with an orangish streak passing anteriorly from spot; 1st dorsal fin not as high as the 2nd; 2nd dorsal and anal fins not elevated anteriorly; pelvic fins not long; base of pectoral fin usually with a blue-edged salmon-pink spot.

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 33; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 27 - 30; Vertebrae: 26

Adults occur in pairs, sharing the same burrow, remain together when feeding; juveniles occur in large groups & many occupy the same refuge.

Occurs in lagoons or bays, in passes, or on outer reef slopes; over hard substrate as well as patches of rubble or sand, usually at the base of the reef. Adults are usually in pairs and share burrow which is often under a piece of rubble or slab of coral rock. Adults feed on current-borne zooplankton as high as 3 m above the burrow; tend to remain together while feeding, separated by not more than 1-2 m. Monogamous (Ref. 52884, 48637). Juveniles occur in large groups, as many as 500. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.

aquarium: commercial

Ptereleotris heteroptera is a species of Perciformes in the family Microdesmidae.

Occurs in lagoons or bays, in passes, or on outer reef slopes; over hard substrates as well as patches of rubble or sand, usually at the base of the reef. Adults are usually in pairs and share burrow which is often under a piece of rubble or slab of coral rock. Adults feed on current-borne zooplankton to as high as 3 m above the burrow; tend to remain together while feeding, separated by not more than 1-2 m. Juveniles occur in large groups, as many as 500.