Author: Greenfield, Erdmann & Utama, 2019
FBname: Miner's dwarfgoby
Comments: This cryptic species was only observed in close association with a particular species of tube sponge that is provisionally assigned to the genus <i>Theonella</i>. Using an underwater lightsource, the goby could be seen peering out from the darkened recesses of the exhalent pore of the sponge, but would quickly retreat deep into the canal structure. This behavior made it difficult to photograph in situ or to capture by hand, even with the use of anesthetic clove oil. The sponge was commonly observed on current-exposed walls and steep slopes in the 15-25 m depth range; a visual survey of approximately 200 individual sponges revealed only 10 of this new species (Ref. 121769).