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Interrupted dartfish (Parioglossus interruptus) — Microdesmidae

Interrupted dartfish

Parioglossus interruptus
Family: Microdesmidae

The Interrupted dartfish (Parioglossus interruptus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

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Description

The Interrupted dartfish is a tiny dartfish or wormfish (Gobiidae) from shallow, clear coastal and mangrove water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has an extremely slender, semi-translucent body, often with a fine longitudinal stripe and large eyes. As a social fish it hovers in schools just above sand, coral and roots and dives into a burrow when threatened; it snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Interrupted dartfish?

The Interrupted dartfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Interrupted dartfish live?

The Interrupted dartfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

How big does the Interrupted dartfish get?

The Interrupted dartfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Interrupted dartfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Interrupted 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Interrupted dartfish sourced
Scientific name
Parioglossus interruptus
Family
Microdesmidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
3 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling 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

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

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