Antilles Frillfin

Bathygobius antilliensis

The Antilles Frillfin, a member of the goby family, is a small reef fish found in the Western Atlantic, particularly around the Caribbean's insular and continental islands. This species can reach a maximum length of 9.4 cm. It is characterized by its elongated body and distinctive fin markings. The first dorsal fin features 1-4 dark blotches forming stripes or a broad dark brown stripe across the middle. The body displays two rows of markings, with the upper row having 7-8 dark blotches along the lateral midline and the lower row typically showing 3 conspicuous dark spots. Antilles Frillfins are primarily found in reef crests and shallow tidepools on exposed beaches, often coexisting with related species like B. mystacium and B. lacertus. They have also been recorded in sheltered rocky shorelines. This species is benthopelagic, meaning it lives close to the bottom of the water column. Most occurrences are recorded at depths shallower than 10 meters, with none found deeper than 40 meters. The Antilles Frillfin is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Divers encountering this species can expect to find it in shallow, tropical reef environments, where it exhibits bottom-dwelling behavior.