Wilbur's Goby

Macrodontogobius wilburi

Wilbur's Goby, also known as the largetooth goby, is a small ray-finned fish native to the Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the Seychelles to Micronesia and even extending to the Red Sea. It inhabits sheltered marine environments such as coastal bays, lagoons, and estuaries, typically found at depths ranging from 0 to 20 meters, although it is most frequently encountered in shallower waters up to 7 meters deep. This solitary species prefers sandy substrates near reef margins, often in turbid coastal waters. The goby can be identified by its pale brown to greenish-brown coloration with a lighter ventral side. It features distinctive brown and white spots, with larger brown spots forming a mid-lateral row along its flanks. A notable dark spot is present on the caudal fin peduncle, along with a brown blotch on the cheek and short brown bars along its back. Its body shape is fusiform with an oval cross-section, and it has a rounded caudal fin slightly longer than its head. The species grows to a maximum length of 6.5 centimeters. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.