Pseudogobius melanosticta (Day 1876)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D2 I,6-8; A I,7-8; pectoral rays 14-16; segmented caudal rays 15-16, usually in 9/7 pattern; lateral scales 23-26; transverse scale count 8-10; predorsal scales 6-8, ctenoid scales at sides and/or posteriorly; opercle with 2-4 rows of ctenoid scales, rarely with cycloid (but if so, then predorsal scales ctenoid), cheek scaleless; shoulder girdle smooth or has a narrow flange, which may be angled outward (some specimens with 1-3 small flat knobs or flanges); tongue is short, its tip blunt to slightly concave; males with upper jaw teeth in 2-6 rows, teeth in outer row always largest, slightly curved, conical to slightly flattened, while in females outer row of upper jaw teeth variable, may be similar to males with two rows of upright slightly flattened teeth, or row of short compressed blunt to pointed teeth. Colouration: scale margins are edged with brown, giving a diffuse network appearance, distinct wide dark brown to black oblique bar running from the lower rear edge of eye to above lower margin of preopercle; first dorsal fin is pointed, with two broad blackish stripes (Ref. 126575).

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 8; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Occurs in shallow estuarine (mangroves) to fresh water areas (rivers, streams)(Ref. 126575); adults also in the sea (Ref. 4833).