Fin's Fish Guide
The Elegant goby (Stiphodon elegans) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.
Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Is., Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia, Japan and others
Description
The elegant goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from clear, fast-flowing island streams of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are handsomely blue-green, females plain brown with stripes. With a ventral sucking disc formed from the fused pelvic fins it climbs over stones and waterfalls. It rasps aufwuchs and diatoms from the stones. Its larvae wash to sea and return as juveniles. The fish is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Elegant goby?
The Elegant goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.
Where does the Elegant goby live?
The Elegant goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Is., Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia, Japan and others
How big does the Elegant goby get?
The Elegant goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.
Is the Elegant goby dangerous to humans?
No, the Elegant 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.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Gobiidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Elegant goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.