Striped Goby

Asterropteryx striata

The striped goby is a small reef fish found throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific, including regions like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Indo-Australian Archipelago. It grows to a maximum length of 2.3 cm, making it one of the smaller fish divers might encounter. Its body is predominantly whitish, marked by a distinctive broad dark brown stripe running from the snout to the base of the caudal fin. This stripe is a key feature that helps distinguish it from other goby species. The fish has a compressed, elongated body with 7 dorsal spines and 10 dorsal soft rays, along with a rounded caudal fin. The presence of 4-5 weak spines on the rear edge of the preopercle is another identifying characteristic. The striped goby inhabits rubble bottoms in lagoons and sheltered coastal reefs, typically hovering a short distance above the substrate. This behavior is likely related to its feeding habits, as it primarily consumes zooplankton. It is usually seen alone or in small groups, making it a solitary species. Divers may spot this fish at depths ranging from 6 to 30 meters. The striped goby is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.