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Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Gobiidae

Citron goby

Gobiodon citrinus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; among branches of Acropora coral.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The citron coral goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to only a few centimetres and has a stocky, yellowish body with blue-white lines on the head. It lives as a commensal among the branches of broadly branched Acropora corals, in which it shelters and lays its eggs. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. For defence it secretes toxic skin mucus that deters predators; to humans the species is harmless, as it is not eaten and does not bite.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Citron goby?

The Citron goby has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Coral commensal in Acropora; secretes poisonous skin mucus in defence.

Where does the Citron goby live?

The Citron goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; among branches of Acropora coral.

How big does the Citron goby get?

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

Is the Citron goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Citron goby edible?

The Citron goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rob (CC BY 2.0)
Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Damien Brouste, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Citron goby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Gobiidae — 5
momaz (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Citron goby verified
Scientific name
Gobiodon citrinus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Citron goby; Coral goby; Coralgoby; Fourbar goby; Four-bar maori goby; Poison goby; Lemon coral goby; Lemon coralgoby; Lemon coral-goby; Yellow goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; among branches of Acropora coral. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Coral commensal in Acropora; secretes poisonous skin mucus in defence. 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 Gobiodon

More from the family Gobiidae

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