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Indian pygmy goby (Eviota indica) — Gobiidae

Indian pygmy goby

Eviota indica
Family: Gobiidae

The Indian pygmy goby (Eviota indica) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I., Seychelles, Cargados Carajos

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Description

The Indian pygmy goby is a pygmy goby (Gobiidae) from shallow, clear reef water of the Indian Ocean. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has a stocky, semi-translucent body with fine colour dots and fused pelvic fins forming a small sucker. As a cryptic dweller it sits on and among live coral and snaps at minute zooplankton and small crustaceans. Many of these gobies live only a few months. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian pygmy goby?

The Indian pygmy goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Indian pygmy goby live?

The Indian pygmy goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I., Seychelles, Cargados Carajos

How big does the Indian pygmy goby get?

The Indian pygmy goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Indian pygmy goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian 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
Indian pygmy goby sourced
Scientific name
Eviota indica
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Indian dwarfgoby sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I., Seychelles, Cargados Carajos 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 Eviota

More from the family Gobiidae

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