English Name: Weeping sand goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Veli funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 8 cm
Specimen: MRS/0292/88
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with I spine and 11 rays. Anal fin with I spineand 11 rays. Pectoral fin with 15-17 rays. Mouth horizontal and interior. Lower jaw not projecting. Snout blunt. Cheek with large scales.
Colour: A prominent black bar extending down from eyes.
Habitat and Biology: Common from shallow waterdown to 25 m. Usually seen sitting on sandy bottoms at the base of coral heads.
Distribution: lndo-West Pacific (uncertain).
Remarks: Gnathoepis anjerenisis is very common in the Maldives, but easily overlooked because of its small size and cryptic colouration. The genus Gnatholepsis is in need of revision, so there is considerable confusion over the correct name of this species. and its true distribution.