Home · Microdesmidae · Galzin's dartfish
Galzin's dartfish (Parioglossus galzini) — Microdesmidae

Galzin's dartfish

Parioglossus galzini
Family: Microdesmidae

The Galzin's dartfish (Parioglossus galzini) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–2.0 m
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: French Polynesia

Want the complete picture on the Galzin's dartfish?

Get the app

Description

Galzin's dartfish is a dartfish (Ptereleotridae) from shallow, clear lagoon and reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a very slender, semi-translucent body with a dark lengthwise stripe. As a social fish it hovers in small groups just above coral and sand and snaps at zooplankton; when threatened it darts into a burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galzin's dartfish?

The Galzin's dartfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Galzin's dartfish live?

The Galzin's dartfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: French Polynesia

How big does the Galzin's dartfish get?

The Galzin's dartfish grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Galzin's dartfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Galzin's dartfish 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Galzin's dartfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Galzin's dartfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Galzin's dartfish sourced
Scientific name
Parioglossus galzini
Family
Microdesmidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: French Polynesia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
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 Parioglossus

More from the family Microdesmidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Galzin's dartfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Galzin's dartfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Galzin's dartfish? Get the app