Dr. Mark V. Erdmann & Gerry R. Allen
Info
Tomiyamichthys eyreae is a small but particularly pretty partner goby that lives together with the crayfish Alpheus randalli and appears to be endemic to the waters around Raja Ampat.
The gobies were observed over a gradually rising sand/debris bottom with moderate to strong currents.
Coloration of the paratype
The head and body of the paratype are generally gray to gray-brown, with three to 4 large, diffuse brownish spots on the middle of the side of the body, the first below the dorsal fin, the second below the anterior half of the second dorsal fin, the third below the rearmost dorsal rays, and fourth (faint) at the base of the caudal fin.
On the side of the body is a double row of large, irregular white spots, one along the upper back and the other on the ventral half; a row of narrow, orange, diagonal bands anteriorly on the side, forming diagonal rows of small or long spots on the posterior half of the body.
Head, including nape have numerous orange spots and bands, a large brassy spot is located behind the jaws, and another around the chin and on the lateral part of the lower jaw.
The iris is red-orange with a narrow yellow ring around the pupil.
The first dorsal fin is gray-brown with white distal spine tips, two small white spots on basal part of first dorsal spine, eye-sized black spot (with thin white border) between fourth and fifth dorsal spine and orange spots on the posteriormost part of the fin; second dorsal fin translucent with four longitudinal rows of orange spots.
The caudal fin is translucent with transverse orange spots, the anal fin is pale yellow, the pelvic fin translucent whitish.
The pectoral fins are translucent with orange spots at the bases.
Coloration of large males:
The coloration of large males is very similar to that of the fresh paratype, except that the three large, dark spots on the side are more reddish.
The lowest part of the operculum is dark blue-grey with well contrasting orange lines and spots, the first dorsal fin with diagonal orange bands between the first five spines and the absence of a large black spot, the pectoral fins show longitudinal rows of small yellow spots.
Coloration of adult females
The posterior body scales of females are ctenoid scales similar to the living male, but less intense in color and between the fourth and fifth dorsal spines.
A large brown spot can be seen between the fourth and fifth dorsal spines.
Sexual dimorphism.
The sexes differ noticeably in terms of the shape of the first dorsal fin. The female has a triangular fin that has no protruding filaments, in contrast to the male's fin, which is characterized by filiform extensions of the second to fourth spines.
Smaller males (under about 30 mm SL) have very short filaments,
Etymology:
The new species was named in honor of the American diver Janet V. Eyre, whose efforts led to the discovery and description of this species.
Janet has been a member of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) since 2002 and her excellent underwater observation skills have added to our knowledge of the distribution of reef fishes.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The gobies were observed over a gradually rising sand/debris bottom with moderate to strong currents.
Coloration of the paratype
The head and body of the paratype are generally gray to gray-brown, with three to 4 large, diffuse brownish spots on the middle of the side of the body, the first below the dorsal fin, the second below the anterior half of the second dorsal fin, the third below the rearmost dorsal rays, and fourth (faint) at the base of the caudal fin.
On the side of the body is a double row of large, irregular white spots, one along the upper back and the other on the ventral half; a row of narrow, orange, diagonal bands anteriorly on the side, forming diagonal rows of small or long spots on the posterior half of the body.
Head, including nape have numerous orange spots and bands, a large brassy spot is located behind the jaws, and another around the chin and on the lateral part of the lower jaw.
The iris is red-orange with a narrow yellow ring around the pupil.
The first dorsal fin is gray-brown with white distal spine tips, two small white spots on basal part of first dorsal spine, eye-sized black spot (with thin white border) between fourth and fifth dorsal spine and orange spots on the posteriormost part of the fin; second dorsal fin translucent with four longitudinal rows of orange spots.
The caudal fin is translucent with transverse orange spots, the anal fin is pale yellow, the pelvic fin translucent whitish.
The pectoral fins are translucent with orange spots at the bases.
Coloration of large males:
The coloration of large males is very similar to that of the fresh paratype, except that the three large, dark spots on the side are more reddish.
The lowest part of the operculum is dark blue-grey with well contrasting orange lines and spots, the first dorsal fin with diagonal orange bands between the first five spines and the absence of a large black spot, the pectoral fins show longitudinal rows of small yellow spots.
Coloration of adult females
The posterior body scales of females are ctenoid scales similar to the living male, but less intense in color and between the fourth and fifth dorsal spines.
A large brown spot can be seen between the fourth and fifth dorsal spines.
Sexual dimorphism.
The sexes differ noticeably in terms of the shape of the first dorsal fin. The female has a triangular fin that has no protruding filaments, in contrast to the male's fin, which is characterized by filiform extensions of the second to fourth spines.
Smaller males (under about 30 mm SL) have very short filaments,
Etymology:
The new species was named in honor of the American diver Janet V. Eyre, whose efforts led to the discovery and description of this species.
Janet has been a member of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) since 2002 and her excellent underwater observation skills have added to our knowledge of the distribution of reef fishes.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
