Goldspot Goby

Gnatholepis thompsoni

The Goldspot Goby is one of the easiest gobies to get close to. So named for the gold spot located within the dark stripe that runs from their eye  to just behind their pectoral fin (sometimes very faded and not visible as in the third picture). They also have a distinguishing dark bar that runs across the top of their head, through their eye and down to their jaw line.  They have a poufy mouth with a large upper lip. they are one of the larger gobies found in shallow, sandy rubble areas near reefs and along rocky shorelines.