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Bluenose goby (Coryphopterus lipernes) — Gobiidae

Bluenose goby

Coryphopterus lipernes
Family: Gobiidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Bluenose goby (Coryphopterus lipernes) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–13.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; coral heads in fairly deep water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The peppermint goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and translucent with a yellowish head and fine blue-white lines, and large eyes. It lives on coral heads in fairly deep water and often keeps just above or on the coral, usually solitary but sometimes in small groups. It feeds on small zooplankton it plucks from the water. Owing to pressure on coral reefs the species is considered vulnerable. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluenose goby?

The Bluenose goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Translucent goby of coral heads; plankton feeder, near threatened due to pressure on reefs.

Where does the Bluenose goby live?

The Bluenose goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; coral heads in fairly deep water.

How big does the Bluenose goby get?

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

Is the Bluenose goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bluenose goby edible?

The Bluenose goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluenose goby verified
Scientific name
Coryphopterus lipernes
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Peppermint Goby; Peppermint goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
13.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; coral heads in fairly deep water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton from the water column 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
Translucent goby of coral heads; plankton feeder, near threatened due to pressure on 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 Coryphopterus

More from the family Gobiidae

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