Venustus goby (Lentipes venustus)

Lentipes venustus, also known as the Venustus goby or Venus Goby. 

1. Etymology:

   • The name “Lentipes” combines Latin words: lens (meaning “slow”) and pes (meaning “foot”), possibly referring to their methodical movements.
   • “Venustus” comes from Latin, meaning “beautiful,” “elegant,” or “graceful.” This name aptly describes the remarkable coloration in males.

2. Habitat and Distribution:

   • Lentipes venustus inhabits freshwater streams in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands within Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
   • These streams flow through mountainous terrain, providing cool, clear, and fast-flowing waters.
   • The goby is typically found at depths ranging from approximately 0.5 to 1.3 meters.
   • When observed, they often rest on the stream bottom, attached to rock surfaces using their pelvic sucker.

3. Physical Characteristics:

   • Dorsal spines: 7
   • Dorsal soft rays: 10
   • Anal spines: 1
   • Anal soft rays: 9-10
   • Males exhibit striking sexual dichromatism:
     • Bright blue coloration over much of the body.
     • Ventral half of the head is red.
     • A broad reddish bar appears below the second dorsal fin.
     • Dorsal and anal fins are red with pale margins.
   • Females, on the other hand, are mainly semi-translucent tan with a poorly defined brown stripe along the lower side.

4. Life Cycle and Behavior:

   • Lentipes venustus follows an amphidromous lifestyle:
     • Adults live and spawn in freshwater streams.
     • Their tiny newly hatched larvae are too underdeveloped to be called fry.
   • They adapt to swift-flowing streams, where they cling to rocks using their specialized pelvic sucker.

5. Size:

   • Maximum length for males/unsexed individuals: 4.0 centimeters (1.6 inches) SL.