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False 'opihi are less than 3/4 inch with ribs of two sizes giving the shell an angular rather than rounded shape. Siphonaria are air-breathing mollusks with a rudimentary lung chamber (pulmonates) rather than water-breathing gills found in true 'opihi. A native species.
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Yes all three species are found in Hawaii and the Pacific, none are endemic. Bathygobius cocosensis, B. coalitus, and the rare B. cotticeps.
Abundant in a band above Nerites (Pipipi) in the high intertidal zone, grazes upon film of algae. Watertight operculum seals moisture within shell enabling it to survive for extended periods.
Common in tidepools, claws with dark brown tip, feeds upon small fish
Three species of Bathygobius occur in Hawaii tidepools. Positive ID only possible by counting scales and measuring head width.
Mating behavior, males tend to have more purple on the claws. Purple color is especially bright on a similar species, M. thukuhar: http://www.marinelifephotography.com/mar...
Highly invasive alien species
