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Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) — Gobiidae

Fewscale goby

Kelloggella oligolepis
Family: Gobiidae

The Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Easter I., Tonga, Hawaii

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Description

The fewscale goby is one of the very smallest fishes, a goby (Gobiidae) from tidal zones of the Pacific. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has a stocky body with few scales. As a hardy bottom-dweller it lives in shallow tide pools of rocky shores and snaps at small bottom life and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fewscale goby?

The Fewscale goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Fewscale goby live?

The Fewscale goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Easter I., Tonga, Hawaii

How big does the Fewscale goby get?

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

Is the Fewscale goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Fewscale 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

Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Taylor Justason, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fewscale goby (Kelloggella oligolepis) — Gobiidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan & Barton Warren Evermann, 1905 (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fewscale goby sourced
Scientific name
Kelloggella oligolepis
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Easter I., Tonga, Hawaii 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 Kelloggella

More from the family Gobiidae

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