Ancistrogobius
Ancistrogobius is a genus of gobies, small fish belonging to the family Gobiidae. They are characterized by their slender bodies, large eyes, and prominent barbels, fleshy appendages near the mouth. This genus, consisting of about 20 species, is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, with a high concentration in the western Pacific.
Common Names
Common names for species within this genus are often based on their coloration, such as "Red-banded Goby" for A. rubrifrons, or their physical features, like "Long-snouted Goby" for A. longirostris.
Characteristics
Ancistrogobius species typically exhibit the following features:
- Elongated, slender bodies
- Large, prominent eyes
- Two pairs of barbels, one pair on the upper jaw and one pair on the lower jaw
- Small, often inconspicuous dorsal fins
- Anal fin with a prominent, often elongated first ray
- Generally small in size, reaching up to 10 centimeters in length
- Diverse coloration, ranging from pale brown to reddish-orange
Environments
Ancistrogobius species inhabit a variety of marine environments, including:
- Coral reefs
- Rocky shores
- Seagrass beds
- Mangrove swamps
They often reside in crevices, under rocks, or within burrows, where they can readily hide from predators. Their diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, which they locate using their barbels.