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Harlequin prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) — Gobiidae

Harlequin prawn-goby

Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus
Family: Gobiidae

The Harlequin prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Harlequin prawn-goby is a shrimpgoby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm. It has a pale body with grey-brown crossbars and light-blue spots on head and fins. It lives in symbiosis with a burrowing pistol shrimp: the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow, while the goby keeps watch for danger. It eats small zooplankton and bottom life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Harlequin prawn-goby?

The Harlequin prawn-goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Harlequin prawn-goby live?

The Harlequin prawn-goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Harlequin prawn-goby get?

The Harlequin prawn-goby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Harlequin prawn-goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Harlequin prawn-goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Harlequin prawn-goby edible?

Yes, the Harlequin prawn-goby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Harlekijn-garnaalgrondel sourced
English name
Harlequin prawn-goby sourced
Scientific name
Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cryptocentrus

More from the family Gobiidae

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