Slender Sandgoby

Diagnosis: Dorsal rays VI - I,9. Anal rays 1,8. Pectoral rays 17-19 (usually 18). Longitudinal scale series 25. Head naked except for scales on side of nape reaching nearly to above upper end of preopercular margin; posterior nostril not close to orbit. The body is slender, depth 5.45-5.75 in SL; snout length 3.0-3.4 in head; first dorsal fin not higher than second; second dorsal spine usually longest, 5.35-5.8 in SL. Pelvic fins fully joined medially by membrane (when intact); pelvic frenum absent. Body translucent with numerous very small orange-yellow spots with blackish centers on head and body, those on head arranged in oblique rows; a black spot the size of pupil or smaller at midbase of caudal fin; a second smaller blackish spot just above base of pectoral fin; dorsal and caudal fins with orange-yellow spots; a dusky orange line from upper part of first membrane of first dorsal fin to base of second spine (Ref. 41649).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 26

Inhabits sand-rubble bottoms next to reefs in 6-18 m (Ref. 90102).