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Banded worm goby (Microdesmus dipus) — Microdesmidae

Banded worm goby

Microdesmus dipus
Family: Microdesmidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Banded worm goby (Microdesmus dipus) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; muddy bottoms near the coast.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The banded wormfish is a small, worm-shaped fish of the wormfish family (Microdesmidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a very elongate, snake-like body with small eyes and a long, low dorsal fin. It inhabits mud bottoms near the shore, where it stays largely hidden in self-dug burrows. As a small bottom dweller it feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Owing to its hidden, burrowing habits it is little seen. Owing to limited data the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). Owing to its small size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded worm goby?

The Banded worm goby has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very elongated, worm-shaped body; stays hidden in self-dug burrows in muddy bottoms.

Where does the Banded worm goby live?

The Banded worm goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; muddy bottoms near the coast.

How big does the Banded worm goby get?

The Banded worm goby grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Banded worm goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded worm goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded worm goby edible?

The Banded worm goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded worm goby verified
Scientific name
Microdesmus dipus
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Banded wormfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.8 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; muddy bottoms near the coast. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Very elongated, worm-shaped body; stays hidden in self-dug burrows in muddy bottoms. 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 Microdesmus

More from the family Microdesmidae

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