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Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae

Brown-barred sandgoby

Istigobius rigilius
Family: Gobiidae

The Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Brown-barred sandgoby is a small sandgoby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a pale, partly translucent body with fine dark spots. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and rubble patches near coral reefs and snaps at small bottom life; it sometimes sifts sand through the gills. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown-barred sandgoby?

The Brown-barred sandgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brown-barred sandgoby live?

The Brown-barred sandgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Brown-barred sandgoby get?

The Brown-barred sandgoby grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Brown-barred sandgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown-barred sandgoby is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Brown-barred sandgoby sourced
Scientific name
Istigobius rigilius
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Orange-spotted goby; Orangespotted sandgoby; Rigilius goby; Brown-speckled sand-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Istigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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