Freckled Goby

Amblygobius stethophthalmus

The Freckled Goby is a small reef fish that can reach a maximum length of 8.5 cm. It is easily recognized by its distinctive white-edged brown stripe that runs from its snout, through the eye, to just below the first dorsal fin. A similar stripe is found on the cheek extending to the base of the pectoral fin. The snout is adorned with dark freckling, and short bars are present on its back. A notable dark spot is located at the base of the upper caudal fin, and both the first and second dorsal fins are equal in height, while the caudal fin is rounded. The scales on its body are ctenoid, with cycloid scales on the nape, abdomen, and opercle. This species inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from Myanmar and Indonesia to Micronesia. Divers can find it in estuaries and lagoons, where it prefers shallow sand-rubble substrates at depths ranging from 1 to 14 meters. The Freckled Goby is typically seen alone or in pairs, making it a solitary or pair-bonding species. The Freckled Goby is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers encountering this species can expect a harmless interaction, as it poses no threat to humans.