Hazeus otakii Jordan & Snyder, 1901
Scalyhead goby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  6.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 35 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan, Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Characterized by pale greyish brown with blackish blotch at upper rear margin of gill cover, longitudinal row of five, horizontally ovate to rectangular blackish blotches with smaller white spots between on side at level of pectoral fin base, first below spinous dorsal fin and last at midbase of caudal fin; back with about five diffuse saddles and numerous dark brown to blackish spots; white streak on middle of pectoral fin; first dorsal spine of each fin and sharp; fully united pelvic fins, frenum present; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 27; predorsal scales 7-8; ctenoid scales on body, becoming cycloid on head, pectoral fin base and prepelvic area; fully scaled cheek and opercle; depth of body 4.5-6.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sand and rubble bottoms (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.