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Dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka pygmaea) — Gobiidae

Dwarf pygmy goby

Pandaka pygmaea
Family: Gobiidae

The Dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka pygmaea) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 1 cm.

Length
1.1 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore

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Description

The dwarf pygmy goby is one of the very smallest fishes in the world (Gobiidae), from fresh and brackish water of the Philippines and surrounding Southeast Asia. The species stays about 1 cm long and has an almost transparent body with a few dark spots. It lives among water plants and roots of slow rivers, lakes and mangroves and eats very small zooplankton. Through its minute size it is sensitive to habitat loss. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf pygmy goby?

The Dwarf pygmy goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Dwarf pygmy goby live?

The Dwarf pygmy goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore

How big does the Dwarf pygmy goby get?

The Dwarf pygmy goby grows to a maximum of about 1 cm.

Is the Dwarf pygmy goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf pygmy 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf pygmy goby sourced
Scientific name
Pandaka pygmaea
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Dwarf Pygmy Goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore 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

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 Pandaka

More from the family Gobiidae

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