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Dawson's reef goby (Priolepis dawsoni) — Gobiidae

Dawson's reef goby

Priolepis dawsoni
Family: Gobiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Dawson's reef goby (Priolepis dawsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Dawson's reef goby is a very small goby from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has a stocky, red-brown body with fine paler bands. As a secretive reef-dweller it clings to the ceiling of crevices, small caves and cavities, often upside down, and feeds on small zooplankton and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dawson's reef goby?

The Dawson's reef goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Often wedges itself upside down in crevices; secretive small reef goby

Where does the Dawson's reef goby live?

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

How big does the Dawson's reef goby get?

The Dawson's reef goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Dawson's reef goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Dawson's reef 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 Dawson's reef goby edible?

The Dawson's reef goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dawson's reef goby verified
Scientific name
Priolepis dawsoni
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Hidden small reef goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Often wedges itself upside down in crevices; secretive small reef goby 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 Priolepis

More from the family Gobiidae

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