• Ring-eye pygmygoby

Latin name

Trimma benjamini 

Other name

Trimma benjamini 

Identification

This species is characterized by the presence of the following features: Deep concave "U" shaped interorbital cavity; bony interorbital cavity about half the diameter of the pupil; with a small groove behind the eye; without medium sized anterorbital scales, sides of occiput covered with small scales reaching to or near the eye; cheeks and cap without scales; base of pectoral fin with medium sized oval scales; Pectoral region with 5-6 rows of cycloid scales, isthmus bare anteriorly, with one slightly enlarged scale on band between bases of pelvic fins; central 6-13 pectoral rays branched, uppermost and lowest rays unbranched; Fifth pelvic fin ray once dichotomously branched and about 60-75% of length of fourth; all other rays usually with one successive branch, basal membrane connecting two pelvic fins only at base; second dorsal spur longest, usually filiform, extending from base. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. 

Fish colouring

Head and trunk red in life, yellow in preservation, with a thin vertical band of gray (bluish gray in life) running from the anteroventral margin of the eye to the center of the jaws, and a second band running more or less vertically down the cheek from about the center of the eye. The orbit is bordered by a thin band of melanophores, more distinct on the dorsal side, but faded in the preserved material.

Distribution

Widespread in the western Pacific: from Sulawesi to Tonga; north to the Marshall Islands; south to New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Habitat

A marine tropical species. Depth range 1 to 90 m, usually 4 to 35 m. Inhabits inshore and outer reef slopes. 

Size

Maximum length 3 cm. Maximum reported age 0.39 years.

Behavior

They inhabit the benthos and occur singly or in loose groups.  

Food and feeding habits

Ring-eyed pygmy gobies feed on plankton.

Reproduction

Larvae have a long pelagic life span of 33.9 days (= 24% of maximum life span) and linear postlarval growth. Daily mortality ranges from 2.9% to 6.3%; sex ratio 1:1.6 males/females).

Fishing

Of no commercial value or interest to fishermen.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.



Classification
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Squad Gobiiformes
Family Gobiidae
Genus Trimma
Species T. benjamini
Features
Conservation status Least Concern
Habitat Bottom
Life span, years 0,39
Maximum body weight, kg No information
Maximum length, cm 3
Sailing speed, m/s No information
Threat to people Not edible
Way of eating Planktonophage

Write a comment

Note: HTML is not translated!
    Bad           Good
Captcha

Ring-eye pygmygoby

Tags: ring eye pygmygoby