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Stiphodon atropurpureus, commonly referred to as the blue neon dwarf goby,[1][citation needed] is a goby species native to parts of Asia,[2][citation needed] including the Philippines, China, Japan,[citation needed] Vietnam[3] and Indonesia.[citation needed] It is distinguished by its vibrant coloration, small size, and its unique anatomical features, which are well-adapted to its fast-flowing freshwater stream habitat.[citation needed]
| Stiphodon atropurpureus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Oxudercidae |
| Genus: | Stiphodon |
| Species: | S. atropurpureus
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| Binomial name | |
| Stiphodon atropurpureus Herre, 1927
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Anatomical features
editThe Stiphodon atropurpureus has an fusiform shaped body[4] and measures between 20mm to 50mm.[3] The fish has seven dorsal spines and nine soft dorsal rays.[4] The anal fin is supported by one spine and has ten soft rays.[4]
Sex differences
editMales of Stiphodon atropurpureus display a spectrum of metallic luster that ranges from bright greens to deep blues and rich purples. This iridescence is most noticeable when the fish are engaged in behaviors such as mating displays or defending their territory. The male's first dorsal fin lacks elongation and a fibrous texture but features a distinctive narrow red border, enhancing its visual appeal to other fish and playing a critical role during social interactions.[5][6]
Females have a much fainter appearance than their male counterparts. Typically, their bodies are white or display light pastel hues and are marked by two clear transverse lines that run across their bodies.[4][7] These lines serve a critical function in enhancing the females' camouflage within their natural environments[8], providing them with a protective advantage by making them less visible to predators.[9]
Developmental changes
editThe developmental journey from being a juvenile to an adult is marked by significant changes, particularly in coloration. Juveniles start with much more muted tones, which gradually develop into the vibrant colors seen in adults. This progression is especially pronounced in males, whose coloration intensifies significantly through maturity, which plays a vital role in their social interactions and reproductive success. [10]
Similar species
editStiphodon atropurpureus coexists with other species within the Stiphodon genus, which share similar habitats and ecological niches. While the males of S. atropurpureus are distinctive due to their vibrant color patterns, they can still be mistaken for males of species like S. imperiorientis and S. percnopterygionus, which display similar iridescent hues and dorsal fin characteristics.[7] This resemblance often necessitates more than a superficial examination to accurately identify the species, especially under natural environmental conditions where colors can vary with lighting.[9]
The identification of females presents even greater challenges. Females of S. atropurpureus and S. multisquamus, for example, exhibit very similar pale coloration and transverse stripes.[4] These subtle and often muted markings make it difficult to distinguish between these species without detailed morphological analysis or genetic testing.[9]
Stiphodon imperiorientis (male)
editMales of S. imperiorientis resemble the males of S. atropurpureus in their vivid coloration. Both species display a range of iridescent colors, including blues and greens, which can appear strikingly similar in natural light. Their body shape and fin structure also closely align, making it challenging to distinguish between them.[9]
Stiphodon percnopterygionus (male)
editMales of S. percnopterygionus are similar to S. atropurpureus males, they also exhibit bright and vibrant hues on their bodies. Both species display a range of iridescent colors, including blues and greens, which can appear similar in natural light. Their body shape and fin structure also closely align, making it challenging to distinguish between them.[9]
Stiphodon multisquamus (female)
editFemales of S. multisquamus closely mirror those of S. atropurpureus in both color and pattern. Both species' females feature paler bodies with light hues and two clear transverse lines. This similar appearance can make field identification challenging, as these features are crucial for camouflage and do not vary significantly between the two species.[9]
Distribution and ecology
editStiphodon atropurpureus is found in a variety of locations across Asia, including the Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.[11][7][12][13][9]
These gobies prefer the clear, oxygen-rich waters of fast-flowing streams, which provide not only the necessary environmental conditions for their survival but also the substrates essential for their feeding habits.[4] Despite the broad geographic range, the specific details of their population dynamics are not well-documented. The challenges posed by their small size and elusive nature make comprehensive population studies difficult.[9] Research efforts are generally localized, focusing on small-scale stream surveys, which do not provide a complete picture of their overall distribution. The approximate distribution of Stiphodon atropurpureus didn't include mainland China, Vietnam and parts of Indonesia.
Reproductive behavior and life cycle
editThe amphidromous life cycle of Stiphodon atropurpureus is complex. Adults breed in freshwater environments, where they lay their eggs. After hatching, the larvae drift downstream to the marine environment, living planktonically.[4][13] This marine phase is crucial as it allows the larvae to grow away from the competitive and predatory pressures of the freshwater environment. As they reach the post-larval stage, they begin their challenging journey back to freshwater streams. This migration is significantly aided by their specialized adaptation: the fused pelvic fins. These fins form a suction disc that enables the young gobies to cling to rocks and other surfaces, helping them to swim against the current and navigate back to their natal streams.[13][9] Completing this life cycle not only demonstrates their endurance and navigational abilities but is also essential for maintaining the genetic diversity and resilience of their populations.
Feeding
editStiphodon atropurpureus primarily feeds on algae and biofilms,[4] which they meticulously scrape from rocks using their specialized mouthparts.[8] This diet is rich in nutrients and provides the necessary energy to support their active lifestyle and reproductive activities.[7] The availability of these food sources is directly tied to the water quality and flow rate of their habitats, underscoring the importance of environmental conservation in maintaining healthy populations.
Conservation challenges and strategies
editWhile the growing popularity of Stiphodon atropurpureus in the aquarium trade has raised awareness of the species, it has also led to increased harvesting from the wild, which can deplete local populations and disrupt the delicate ecological balance of their native streams. Furthermore, given that these fish are small, elusive, and often difficult to observe in their natural habitats, studies about their abundance and distribution are limited, making it difficult to monitor the impact of such trade. Moreover, the species' requirement for high water quality[4] and the requirement for migration to breed makes it particularly vulnerable to human impacts such as dam construction, water pollution, and climate change.[13][14] These activities disrupt natural water flow and degrade stream environments, significantly affecting the survival and reproductive success of this species.
Additionally, there is currently no dedicated aquaculture for breeding Stiphodon atropurpureus, meaning that all individuals in the aquarium trade are collected from the wild. This practice puts more pressure on natural populations, which are already stressed by habitat loss and fragmentation. Their breeding success also relies on their ability to migrate freely between freshwater and marine environments, a process that can be hindered by obstacles like dams and water diversions.[14][15]
In addition to overharvesting and waterway blocking, other threats to their habitat include water pollution, construction projects, and climate change, all of which can alter the water clarity, temperature, and flow rate necessary for their migration and survival. Stiphodon atropurpureus is categorized as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.[14] This species is also highly sensitive to water quality, and its inability to breed in polluted waters means that local populations could rapidly decline if the streams they inhabit are contaminated.[4] To ensure the sustainability of Stiphodon atropurpureus populations in the wild, targeted conservation efforts, including water quality management and habitat restoration are crucial.
References
edit- ^ "Stiphodon atropurpureus – Blue Neon Goby (Microsicydium atropurpureum, Microsicydium formosum) — Seriously Fish". Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ Aquadiction (2023-11-28). "Blue Neon Goby - Stiphodon atropurpureus Fish Profile & Care Guide". Aquadiction. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ a b Donaldson, James; Maeda, Ken; Iida, Midori; Kobayashi, Hirozumi; Ebner, Brendan C.; Tran, Hau Duc (2023). "New distributional records of four amphidromous gobies (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae) in continental Vietnam". Cybium. doi:10.26028/CYBIUM/2023-019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mulya, Arung; Citra, Sania; Andini, Ari Okta; Abdur rahman, Rasali; Ariga, Win; Cahyani, Sagita; Islam, Izzul; Hasan, Veryl (2023-05-27). "Fist Report of Stiphodon atropurpureus (Herre, 1927) in Marente Village, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara". Journal of Aquaculture and Fish Health. 12 (2): 191–197. doi:10.20473/jafh.v12i2.37049. ISSN 2528-0864.
- ^ MAEDA, KEN; PALLA, HERMINIE P. (2015-09-16). "A new species of the genus Stiphodon from Palawan, Philippines (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae)". Zootaxa. 4018 (3). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ MAEDA, KEN; Yoshino, Tetsuo; Tachihara, Katsunori (December 2011). "A redescription of Stiphodon pulchellus (Herre, 1927) (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae)". Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology. 35 (4): 319–328.
- ^ a b c d MAEDA, KEN; Yoshino, Tetsuo; Tachihara, Katsunori (December 2011). "A redescription of Stiphodon pulchellus (Herre, 1927) (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae)". Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology. 35 (4): 319–328.
- ^ a b MAEDA, KEN; PALLA, HERMINIE P. (2015-09-16). "A new species of the genus Stiphodon from Palawan, Philippines (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae)". Zootaxa. 4018 (3). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Nip, Tony H.M. (2010-10-26). "First records of several sicydiine gobies (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae) from mainland China". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 2 (11): 1237–1244. doi:10.11609/JoTT.o2439.1237-44.
- ^ Keith, Philippe; Lord-Daunay, Clara; Maeda, Ken (2015). Indo-Pacific Sicydiine gobies: biodiversity, life traits and conservation. Paris: Société française d'ichtyologie. ISBN 978-2-9514628-7-8.
- ^ Keith, Philippe; Lord-Daunay, Clara; Maeda, Ken (2015). Indo-Pacific Sicydiine gobies: biodiversity, life traits and conservation. Paris: Société française d'ichtyologie. ISBN 978-2-9514628-7-8.
- ^ Herre, Albert W. C. T. (1945-03-31). "Two New Genera and Four New Gobies from the Philippines and India". Copeia. 1945 (1): 1–6. doi:10.2307/1438164. ISSN 0045-8511. JSTOR 1438164.
- ^ a b c d Hasan, Veryl; Valen, Fitri Sil; Islamy, R. Adharyan; Widodo, Maheno; Saptadjaja, Aditya Mirzapahlevi; Islam, Izzul (2021-01-13). "Short Communication: Presence of the vulnerable freshwater goby Sicyopus auxilimentus (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae) on Sangihe Island, Indonesia: Sicyopus auxilimentus from Sangihe Island". Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity. 22 (2). doi:10.13057/biodiv/d220208. ISSN 2085-4722.
- ^ a b c Giuliani, Silvia; Bellucci, Luca G.; Nhon, Dang H. (2019), "The Coast of Vietnam: Present Status and Future Challenges for Sustainable Development", World Seas: an Environmental Evaluation, Elsevier, pp. 415–435, doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-100853-9.00027-0, ISBN 978-0-08-100853-9, retrieved 2024-11-14
- ^ Watson, R. E.; Chen, I.-S. Froese, Ranier; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Stiphodon atropurpureus". FishBase. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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