They are small fish, averaging at 2 cm (0.79 in), orange-brown with white undersides in life, with characteristic iridescent blue or lavender stripes on the sides and on top of the body.

[5] The specific name is in honor of the schooner Te Vega, which was used as the research vessel (then under the Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station) by the authors during the collection trip.

[2] T. tevegae is known under a number of common names in English, mostly based on the characteristic blue stripe running through the body.

[7][8] It is also known under various non-specific common names in other languages, like mano'o-moi in Samoan and kultit or paku in Calamian Tagbanwa in the Philippines.

[9] They have been recorded in the Ryukyu and Izu Islands of Japan to New Britain, Papua New Guinea; and from the Rowley Shoals of Australia to Tonga.

[5][8] Bluestripe pygmygobies generally congregate in large, loose schools near coral reef drop-offs pockmarked by caves or recesses.

They usually orient themselves vertically with their heads facing upwards along the coral reef wall and feed on zooplankton traveling down the water column.

[12] In addition to usual common names, they are sometimes referred to as the "blue line flagtail goby" by hobbyists.