These are common on lagoon and seaward reefs, but among the easiest places to see them are in the sand and rubble bottoms of seaward reef surge channels. Males differ from females in having a tall, banded anterior dorsal fin that they erect when trying to woo females. The tall male dorsal fin is similar to that in Synchiropus morrisoni, but differs in shape and the curve of the bands. In females, the short dorsal fin is mostly black.
The first one appears to be a male with the tall dorsal fin folded back against the body. They usually erect their fin when wooing a female.
In the female, the first dorsal fin is mostly black.
Some especially nice shots of male and female specimens with their dorsal fins erect from Majuro Atoll by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren. First is the male.
The female.
The next two photos show an especially white individual observed at Majuro by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren. It was estimated to be at least 4cm long.
Young and juveniles below.
Created 28 September 2017
Updated 26 November 2021