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Convoy goby (Lythrypnus phorellus) — Gobiidae

Convoy goby

Lythrypnus phorellus
Family: Gobiidae

The Convoy goby (Lythrypnus phorellus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Convoy goby is a tiny goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a stocky, often brightly red or yellow striped body with fused pelvic fins forming a small sucker. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it sits among coral, sponges, stones and crevices and snaps at minute zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Convoy goby?

The Convoy goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Convoy goby live?

The Convoy goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Convoy goby get?

The Convoy goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Convoy goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Convoy 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 Convoy goby edible?

Yes, the Convoy goby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Convoy goby (Lythrypnus phorellus) — Gobiidae — 2
Carol D. Cox (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Convoy goby sourced
Scientific name
Lythrypnus phorellus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Convict goby sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Lythrypnus

More from the family Gobiidae

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