Rhinogobius telma Suzuki, Kimura & Shibukawa, 2019

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  3.78 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.11 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Asia: Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished from its congenes by the following set of characters: predorsal area with cycloid scales, 3-15 predorsal scales on predorsal midline; vertebrae 10 + 16 = 26; males with low first dorsal fin, not extending posteriorly to origin of second dorsal fin when adpressed; third spine of first dorsal fin longest; lateral and ventral sides of belly with ctenoid and small cycloid scales, respectively; absence of posterior oculoscapular canal and preopercular canal; sensory-papillae rows on cheek arranged longitudinally, with no transverse rows; first dorsal fin with a single longitudinal row of vertically elongate dark markings; no dark large circle or quadrangle markings (spots or blotches) at anterior part of first dorsal fin; the lower half of caudal fin without reddish orange coloration; caudal fin have some vertical rows of dark dots in both sexes (Ref. 119678).
Biology:  This species is reported to occur in shallow freshwater areas with mud bottoms and aquatic vegetation, such as ponds, marshes, reservoirs, canals, creeks of middle or lower reaches of rivers. A non-diadromous species, restricted in non- or slow-flowing freshwater habitats throughout the life cycle (Ref, 119678).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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