Pleurosicya micheli
| Pleurosicya micheli | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Gobiidae |
| Genus: | Pleurosicya |
| Species: | P. micheli
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pleurosicya micheli Fourmanoir, 1971
| |
Pleurosicya micheli, commonly known as Michel's ghost goby or stony coral ghost goby, is a species of gobies native to the Indo-Pacific.[1] Pleurosicya micheli is a small fish that can be found in tropical marine environments where it is abundant with corals.[2] The geographic distribution of Pleurosicya micheli extends from the Indo-west Pacific region, from the Seychelles to Fiji and Hawaiian Islands.[2] They are commonly called Michel's ghost goby, stony coral ghost, cling goby, stony coral ghost goby.[3]
Description
[edit]The physical appearance of a ghost goby is that of a tiny fish with a max length of 2.5 cm.[2] The body of this species is translucent with a reddish-brown mid lateral internally; and also has white stripe markings above the vertebral area with red/blue fluorescent eyes.[4] The outer layer of this fish also has a reddish-brown hue along the sides of the fish and the face.[4] The body depth at the anus measures between 5 and 7.1 times in standard length.[2] The total dorsal fin is 6–7 spines and 7–8 soft rays, while anal fin has 1 spine and 7–9 soft rays.[2] Furthermore, the sides of the nape have 8–12 scale rows, and there are 22–28 scales in the longitudinal series.[2] The species also lacks predorsal scales but has scales extending on the sides of the nape.[2] Pleurosicya micheli also lay their eggs inside ascidians, which are also commonly called sea squirts.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Pleurosicya micheli can be found in a tropical marine environment in Indo-west Pacific: from the Seychelles to Fiji and the Hawaiian Islands.[2] This species typically inhabits coral reef slopes at depths of 10 to 50 meters,[3] residing in hard coral reefs that provide a place for them to live as well as a protection from potential threats.[3] They usually live in an environment that has temperatures of 24.8 degrees Celsius to 29.3 degrees Celsius.[3] Hard coral reefs can be used as a protection for them because they are tiny species that can hide inside the crevices of a hard coral reef if there is a predator that is trying to harm them.[3] They can occasionally also be found inside a clam's mantle.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Bailly, Nicolas (2008). "Pleurosicya micheli Fourmanoir, 1971". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Pleurosicya micheli summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pleurosicya micheli Cling Goby, Coral Goby, Michel's Ghost Goby, Michel's Goby, Stony Coral Ghost Goby". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ^ a b "Michel's Ghostgoby, Pleurosicya micheli". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
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