Fin's Fish Guide
The Five-bar pygmy-goby (Eviota zebrina) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.
Description
The five-bar pygmy-goby is one of the very smallest reef fishes of the family Gobiidae from the Indian Ocean. The species reaches only about 2 cm and has a semi-transparent body with several dark cross-bands, to which the name refers. It inhabits dead, algae-covered reef at depths of 3 to 15 m. Notable is its highly specialised diet: it eats almost exclusively minute harpacticoid copepods and consumes on average hundreds per square metre of reef surface. Despite its tiny size the species plays a role in the reef food web.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Five-bar pygmy-goby?
The Five-bar pygmy-goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. One of the smallest vertebrates (about 2 cm); feeds exclusively on minute copepods.
Where does the Five-bar pygmy-goby live?
The Five-bar pygmy-goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indian Ocean, on dead algae-covered reef.
How big does the Five-bar pygmy-goby get?
The Five-bar pygmy-goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.
Is the Five-bar pygmy-goby dangerous to humans?
No, the Five-bar pygmy-goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Five-bar pygmy-goby edible?
The Five-bar pygmy-goby is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Eviota
More from the family Gobiidae
Want the complete picture on the Five-bar pygmy-goby?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Five-bar pygmy-goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.