Protogobius attiti Watson & Pöllabauer, 1998
Protogobius attiti
photo by Dubosc, J.

Family:  Rhyacichthyidae (Loach gobies)
Max. size:  8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:  Oceania: New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8. Male and female with several rows of red spots on dorsal midline. Males with distal half of first dorsal red and with 6 - 8 black bars on the trunk. Females with a large black spot on its first dorsal fin (Ref. 37400); lacks an infraorbital lateral canal (Ref. 92840).
Biology:  Prefers areas with gravel and overhanging vegetation in slower places of swift, clear streams; rocks and gravel usually coated with detritus. Dives into the substrate when threatened, with its eyes, mouth and first dorsal fin above the gravel. Feeds mainly on small freshwater crustaceans, especially transparent shrimp which are abundant. Ref. for amphidromous (Keith et al, in press 2014).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 22 August 2011 (B2ab(i,ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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