Red Sea Eyebar Goby

The 🌊 Red Sea Eyebar Goby, scientifically known as Gnatholepis caudimaculata, is a small fish species that inhabits tropical marine environments, typically associated with coral reefs. It can be found at depths ranging from 1 to 17 meters (approximately 3 to 56 feet). The fish reaches a maximum length of 4.3 centimeters (about 1.7 inches).

One of the goby's most striking features is its coloration. The body is predominantly whitish with a finely speckled back. It features distinctive rows of orange dots and two broad, ladder-like stripes ranging from orange to reddish that run along its body. A vertical oval blotch, which ranges from blackish to dark grey, is present across the base of the tail fin. Atop its eye is a unique curved or comma-shaped black mark. Interestingly, the fish's eye also exhibits red fluorescence, thought to function as a private communication system among its kind.

The goby is identified by its fin structure: it possesses 7 dorsal spines and 10 to 11 dorsal soft rays, a single anal spine, and 10 to 12 anal soft rays. Its side fins typically have 15 to 17 rays, with 25 to 28 scales along its lateral line and 7 to 10 predorsal scales. The scales on the head and base of the ventral fins are cycloid, and a distinct flap is present at the end of the lower lip.

This species is primarily found in the Western 🌊 Indian Ocean, specifically restricted to the 🌊 Red Sea, including areas around Ethiopia, 🇮🇱 Israel, the Gulf of Aqaba, the 🌊 Persian Gulf, and parts of 🇴🇲 Oman and 🇪🇬 Egypt. Not much is known about this species, but it has been photographed on sands ranging from white to blackish in color.