Gobiodon atrangulatus Garman, 1903

Hildebrandt, Courtney A., Froehlich, Catheline Y. M., Klanten, O. Selma & Wong, Marian Y. L., 2025, Goby spotting: An updated guide to coral gobies (Genus: Gobiodon) in the Indo-Pacific Region, Zootaxa 5723 (2), pp. 151-188 : 157

Gobiodon atrangulatus Garman, 1903 : Fiji Coralgoby

Synonyms or described as: No recorded synonyms.

Description: Gobiodon atrangulatus has not been well documented over the years due to confusion stemming from the original description being based on a preserved specimen from the Fiji Islands ( Garman, 1903). The body colour has frequently been described as predominantly yellow, with red to pink coloured markings on the facial and dorsal region ( Akihito, Ikeda and Sugiyama, 2002 ) ( Figure 5 ). There are typically four to five broad bands on the facial region, accompanied by a series of small dots on the dorsal portion of the head and a combination of dots and lines along the base of the dorsal fins ( Akihito, Ikeda and Sugiyama, 2002 ). Similar coloured markings can be observed on the edges of the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins. A black spot is visible on the upper opercular margin.

Distribution: Gobiodon atrangulatus has been recorded throughout the central and western Pacific, occurring around Fiji and southern Japan (Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands) ( Masuda et al., 1984).

Habitat: No coral species preferences have been recorded for this species though it has been confirmed that it inhabits Acropora corals ( Akihito, Ikeda and Sugiyama, 2002 ).

Sociality: There are no known inclusions of G. atrangulatus in any sociality studies.

Genetics: There are no known inclusions of G. atrangulatus in any genetic studies.

Figures

FIGURE 5. LEFT: Illustration of Gobiodon atrangulatus by C. Hildebrandt. RIGHT: Underwater photograph of Gobiodon atrangulatus by Gomen See Wildlife Photography in Sai Kung, Hong Kong.