Whitestriped Dwarfgoby

Eviota guttata

Eviota guttata, known as the Whitestriped Dwarfgoby, is a small species of ray-finned fish from the family Gobiidae. It can be identified by its elongated, oval body and distinct coloration, which includes a dark spot on the underside of the head near the rear part of the jaws. This species closely resembles Eviota albolineata but can be distinguished by the presence of scattered melanophores on the ventral side of the lower jaw, which vary in intensity. Eviota guttata grows to a maximum length of 3.2 centimeters. This goby inhabits shallow reef environments in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Oman, Seychelles, and Maldives. It is typically found in coastal and insular areas, associated with reefs that have a mixture of coral and algal growths, at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers encountering the Whitestriped Dwarfgoby may find it in inshore areas, where it is harmless to humans.