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Comma goby (Ctenogobius saepepallens) — Gobiidae

Comma goby

Ctenogobius saepepallens
Family: Gobiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Comma goby (Ctenogobius saepepallens) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The comma goby is a small goby from the western Atlantic, from Florida and the Bahamas to the Caribbean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a light body with a row of dark spots and a comma-like mark on the flank. As a bottom-dweller it stays on sandy and rubble bottoms near reefs, often by an invertebrate burrow, and feeds on small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Comma goby?

The Comma goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern. Comma-like small stripe on the flank; inhabits sand near invertebrate burrows

Where does the Comma goby live?

The Comma goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic

How big does the Comma goby get?

The Comma goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Comma goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Comma goby 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.

Is the Comma goby edible?

The Comma goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Comma goby verified
Scientific name
Ctenogobius saepepallens
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Dash goby; Dash Goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Sandy-bottom goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Comma-like small stripe on the flank; inhabits sand near invertebrate burrows 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
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 Ctenogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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