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Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) — Gobiidae

Bluespotted goby

Asterropteryx semipunctata
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific, on algae-covered reef rock and rubble of inner flats and turbid lagoons.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The starry goby is a small goby (family Gobiidae) of the Indo-Pacific. The species reaches about 6 cm and has a stocky, brown-blackish body covered with small blue speckles, which give it its name. It lives on algal-coated reef rock and rubble of inner flats and turbid lagoons and takes refuge in burrows and holes in the reef. Its diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Because of its small size the species is harmless to humans and of no fishery value, though it is sometimes collected for the reef aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespotted goby?

The Bluespotted goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small goby with blue speckles; shelters in small holes and cavities in the reef.

Where does the Bluespotted goby live?

The Bluespotted goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific, on algae-covered reef rock and rubble of inner flats and turbid lagoons.

How big does the Bluespotted goby get?

The Bluespotted goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Bluespotted goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bluespotted goby edible?

The Bluespotted goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) — Gobiidae — 4
momaz (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bluespotted goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluespotted goby verified
Scientific name
Asterropteryx semipunctata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Bluespotted goby; Halfspotted goby; Star-finned goby; Starry goby; Starry Goby; Starryfin goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific, on algae-covered reef rock and rubble of inner flats and turbid lagoons. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small goby with blue speckles; shelters in small holes and cavities in the reef. 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 Asterropteryx

More from the family Gobiidae

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