Eye-bar goby
Gnatholepis anjerensis
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Eye-bar goby
- Scientific
- Gnatholepis anjerensis
- Dhivehi
- ވެލި ފުންނަVeli funna
- Group
- Reef fish
- Family
- Gobiidae (gobies)
- Maximum size
- Up to about 8.4 cm (standard length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 8 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 1 to 46 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2017
Description
A small, pale goby with fine rows of dark spots and a prominent dark bar running down from the eye. It sits on sand at the bases of coral heads, from shallow water to about 25 m, sifting sand for organic matter and tiny animals. It is easily overlooked because of its small size and sandy colours.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name veli funna (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is very common in the Maldives and that the naming of this genus was then confused.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Gnatholepis-anjerensis.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ވެލި_ފުންނަ
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Eyebar_goby_(Gnatholepis_anjerensis)_(48852626598).jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Veli funna' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ވެލި ފުންނަ' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.