# Elacatinus colini

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Species of fish

Elacatinus colini Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Gobiiformes Family: Gobiidae Genus: Elacatinus Species: E. colini Binomial name Elacatinus colini J. E. Randall & Lobel, 2009

***Elacatinus colini***, the **Belize sponge [goby](/source/Goby)**, is a species of goby native to the Western Central Atlantic Ocean, near [Belize](/source/Belize) and [Honduras](/source/Honduras).[1]

## Etymology

Its [specific name](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)) honours [Patrick L. Colin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patrick_L._Colin&action=edit&redlink=1), of the Coral Reef Research Foundation, Palau, who made a comparative study of the genus *[Elacatinus](/source/Elacatinus)* for his doctoral thesis.[2]

## Appearance

*Elacatinus colini* was originally thought to be a color variant of *E. xanthiprora* from Florida [3] but was recently classified as its own species due to the presence of a bright white, not yellow, stripe along its body. *E. colini* are typically around 3 cm in length (3.2 cm SL for males, 3.4 cm SL for females), and can be easily identified by the white strip running from its anterior to posterior end. On the *E. colini's* head, the lateral stripe is relatively small – about the same width as its pupil. However, on its body, the lateral stripe widens to about the same width as its eye. *E. colini* typically have 8 dorsal spines, 10-12 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, 10–11 anal soft rays, and 17-19 pectoral rays. They lack scales and are covered with a thick adherent [mucus](/source/Mucus). The bodies of *E. colini* are bluish-greenish gray above their lateral stripe, with the [dorsal](/source/Dorsum_(anatomy)) part of their head, iris, and lips exhibiting a bright yellow color and the [ventral](/source/Ventral) part of their body being white. Their fins are a translucent gray color.[1]

## Habitat

*Elacatinus colini* live in marine systems in [symbiotic](/source/Symbiotic) relationships with various species of sponges, using them as shelter. They have been found to live in [Carrie Bow Cay](/source/Carrie_Bow_Cay) in Belize and [Utila](/source/Utila) Island in Honduras.[1] They live in shallow sponge, between 2–17 metres (6 ft 7 in – 55 ft 9 in) deep but it is possible that they live deeper as well. *E. colini* inhabit tropical areas, 17ºN - 16ºN, 88ºW - 89ºW. According to Tassell, *E. colini* can occupy an area of about 11,184 km2.[1]

## Population

*Elacatinus colini* were seemingly abundant in their local environment of [Belize](/source/Belize) and [Honduras](/source/Honduras), however, there is little data or research on their population trends.

## Diet

In a study performed by Majoris, Francisco, Atema and Buston,[4] it was shown that *E. colini* [larvae](/source/Larvae) survived in higher numbers when fed wild-caught [plankton](/source/Plankton) as opposed to [Rotifers](/source/Rotifers) (microscopic aquatic animals)[5] and Artemia (a genus of aquatic crustaceans). The study also showed that the standard length of *E. colini* was higher when fed a diet of [plankton](/source/Plankton) as opposed to [Artemia](/source/Artemia) or [rotifer](/source/Rotifer). Researchers postulated this could be because larvae may not have developed the ability to digest Artemia and Rotifer, because Artemia could have changed water quality and thus affected the ability of the *E. colini* larvae to survive, or because the Artemia could have depleted the oxygen levels in the water and consequently lowered the survival rate of *E. colini*. However, this last hypothesis is the least likely because the research tanks were well oxygenated.[4]

## Reproduction

In the study conducted by Majoris et al.,[4] it was shown that before [spawning](/source/Spawning), the bodies of both male and female *E. colini* turn dark grey/black. Researchers also concluded that *E. colini* spawned within 3–44 days of being introduced to the study tanks, which was faster than *Elacatinus lori*. *E. colini* spawned in relatively small clutches in comparison to *E. lori* and spawned every 7.8 ± 1.7 days. The study also showed that male *E. colini* incubated the eggs by fanning/mouthing the clutch until it hatched, and females were sometimes observed to consume the larvae after hatching. *E. colini* spawn regularly for a period of 12 months, and embryos hatch with a fully functional mouth, inflated [swim bladder](/source/Swim_bladder), pigmented eyes, and two visible [otoliths](/source/Otoliths). After hatching, larvae tend to swim up to the surface of the water, as they are attracted to the light and feed on rotifers starting at around 12 hours after hatching.

## Development

*Elacatinus colini* are born with a fully functional mouth, inflated swim bladder, pigmented eyes, and two visible otoliths. After about 18–20 days post hatch (dph), fin folds are completely gone, and the pelvic and dorsal fins begin to form. At around 20–28 dph, the [pelvic fin](/source/Pelvic_fin) elongates but remains unfused. Pre-settled larvae have elongated snouts, partially fused pelvic fins, and exhibit the first [dorsal fin](/source/Dorsal_fin). Once the pelvic fins have completely transformed into the pelvic disc, they begin to settle (earliest settlement begins at around 28 dph) and use their pelvic disc to suction onto surfaces. Settlement happens between 28–54 dph. The stripe along the body of *E. colini* develops immediately, while the yellow pigment on the snout takes a few days to develop.[4]

## Conservation

There are no current observed threats to *E. colini*, however, the degradation of sponge habitats could negatively impact the species. Monitoring of the species can prevent any threats from drastically impacting the *E. colini* population. Further research concerning threats to this species and population trends need to be performed. However, despite the species' small distribution, *E. colini* is currently categorized as a Least Concern species.[6]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IUCN_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IUCN_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-IUCN_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-IUCN_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-IUCN_1-4) Pezold, F.; van Tassell, J.; Tornabene, L.; Aiken, K.A. & Bouchereau, J.-L. (2015). ["*Elacatinus colini*"](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T195873A2428578.en). *[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/The_IUCN_Red_List_of_Threatened_Species)*. **2015**: e.T195873A2428578. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T195873A2428578.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T195873A2428578.en).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ETYFish_2-0)** Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (29 May 2018). ["Order GOBIIFORMES: Family GOBIIDAE (d-h)"](http://www.etyfish.org/gobiiformes5/). *The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database*. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 26 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Randall, John E., and Phillip S. Lobel. "A Literature Review of the Sponge-Dwelling Gobiid Fishes of the Genus Elacatinus from the Western Atlantic, with Description of Two New Caribbean Species." Zootaxa, 2009, pp. 1–19., doi:ISSN 1175-5334.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto1_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto1_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-auto1_4-3) Majoris, John E., et al. "Reproduction, Early Development, and Larval Rearing Strategies for Two Sponge-Dwelling Neon Gobies, Elacatinus Lori and E. Colini."Aquaculture, vol. 483, 2018, pp. 286-295. Elsevier.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Introduction to the Rotifera"](http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/phyla/rotifera/rotifera.html). *www.ucmp.berkeley.edu*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Elacatinus colini summary page"](http://www.fishbase.org/summary/64950). *FishBase*.

Taxon identifiers Elacatinus colini Wikidata: Q5755257 CoL: 6DZXR FishBase: 64950 GBIF: 2376734 iNaturalist: 614474 IRMNG: 11862932 IUCN: 195873 NCBI: 1564108 OBIS: 475010 Open Tree of Life: 3637493 WoRMS: 475010 ZooBank: 0189ED5A-A6B6-42F7-A2DF-F0B0395A2296

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Elacatinus colini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elacatinus_colini) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elacatinus_colini?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.