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Bluegold goby (Lythrypnus spilus) — Gobiidae

Bluegold goby

Lythrypnus spilus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluegold goby (Lythrypnus spilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coral reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bluegold goby is a small, colourful goby (Gobiidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only a few centimetres and has a stocky little body, often with red to orange bars and a spotted pattern. Like other gobies it has fused pelvic fins forming a sucking disc with which it holds onto the reef. It inhabits coral reefs, where it shelters among crevices and coral heads. It feeds on small zooplankton and small benthic crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluegold goby?

The Bluegold goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Small, colourful reef goby with sucker-disc pelvic fins; shelters among coral crevices.

Where does the Bluegold goby live?

The Bluegold goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coral reefs.

How big does the Bluegold goby get?

The Bluegold goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Bluegold goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bluegold goby edible?

The Bluegold goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluegold goby verified
Scientific name
Lythrypnus spilus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spotwing goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small bottom-dwelling crustaceans 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
Small, colourful reef goby with sucker-disc pelvic fins; shelters among coral crevices. 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 Lythrypnus

More from the family Gobiidae

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