English Name: Decorated goby
Family: GOBIIDAE
Local Name: Nala funna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 13 cm
Specimen: MRS/0289/88
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 10-I I rays. Anal fin with I spine and 9-10 rays. Pectoral fin with 17-19 rays. Unbranched caudal rays usually 14. Cheek scaleless. Head length 24-30% of standard length.
Colour: Light brown with rows of white and black spots, the most evident midlateral row of double black spots. A semi-circular dark mark above corner of mouth.
Habitat and Biology: Common on coralline sand near clean coral reefs, at depths to 18 m. Usually seen solitary.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: The colouration of Istigobius decoratus is highly variable with localities. Some species extremely pale while others very dusky. It is sometimes confused with I. ornatus.