Pleurosicya micheli

Lore & Background

The physical appearance of Pleurosicya micheli is that of a tiny fish with a translucent body and a reddish-brown mid-lateral internal stripe. White stripe markings appear above the vertebral area, and the eyes are red and blue fluorescent. The outer layer has a reddish-brown hue along the sides and face. The body depth at the anus measures between 5 and 7.1 times in standard length. The total dorsal fin consists of 6–7 spines and 7–8 soft rays, while the anal fin has 1 spine and 7–9 soft rays. The sides of the nape have 8–12 scale rows, and there are 22–28 scales in the longitudinal series. The species lacks predorsal scales but has scales extending on the sides of the nape. Pleurosicya micheli lays its eggs inside ascidians, also called sea squirts.

This species is found in tropical marine environments in the Indo-west Pacific, from the Seychelles to Fiji and the Hawaiian Islands. It typically inhabits coral reef slopes at depths of 10 to 50 meters, residing in hard coral reefs that provide shelter from predators. The fish can hide inside crevices of hard coral reefs when threatened. It occasionally occurs inside a clam's mantle. The water temperatures in its habitat range from 24.8 degrees Celsius to 29.3 degrees Celsius.

Reader's Guide

Pleurosicya micheli is notable for its specialized association with hard coral reefs, where it finds both habitat and protection. As a tiny species reaching only 2.5 cm in length, it relies on the crevices of hard corals to evade predators. Its translucent body with reddish-brown markings and fluorescent eyes allows it to blend into its coral environment. The species also exhibits a unique reproductive behavior, laying its eggs inside ascidians (sea squirts), which provides a protected nursery for its young. Its geographic distribution spans a broad Indo-west Pacific range, from the Seychelles to Fiji and the Hawaiian Islands, indicating a wide tolerance for tropical reef conditions. The fish is known by several common names—Michel's ghost goby, stony coral ghost goby, and cling goby—reflecting its ghostlike appearance and its close ties to stony corals. The presence of scales on the sides of the nape but not on the predorsal area is a distinguishing anatomical feature. The species' reliance on hard coral reefs ties its survival to the health of these ecosystems, making it an indicator of reef condition in its range.

Did You Know?

• This species has red and blue fluorescent eyes.
• It can occasionally be found inside a clam's mantle.
• The fish lacks predorsal scales but has scales on the sides of the nape.