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Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) — Gobiidae

Afele's dwarfgoby

Eviota afelei
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western and central Pacific; algal mats of shallow reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Afele dwarfgoby is a dwarfgoby (Gobiidae) from the western and central Pacific. The species is extremely small and partly translucent, with a few colour spots; adults stay below three centimetres. It lives on algal mats of shallow, exposed reefs, where it shelters among the growth. With its small mouth it picks small zooplankton and minute invertebrates. Because of its tiny size it is prey for countless larger reef animals. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Afele's dwarfgoby?

The Afele's dwarfgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Extremely small and partly translucent; lives on algal mats of shallow reefs.

Where does the Afele's dwarfgoby live?

The Afele's dwarfgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western and central Pacific; algal mats of shallow reefs.

How big does the Afele's dwarfgoby get?

The Afele's dwarfgoby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Afele's dwarfgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Afele's dwarfgoby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Afele's dwarfgoby edible?

The Afele's dwarfgoby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) — Gobiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) — Gobiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Michele, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Afele's dwarfgoby (Eviota afelei) — Gobiidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Afele's dwarfgoby verified
Scientific name
Eviota afelei
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Afele's fringefin goby; Afele's pygmy goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Western and central Pacific; algal mats of shallow reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and minute invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Extremely small and partly translucent; lives on algal mats of shallow reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Eviota

More from the family Gobiidae

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