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Decorated goby (Istigobius decoratus) — Gobiidae

Decorated goby

Istigobius decoratus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Decorated goby (Istigobius decoratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The decorated goby is a goby from the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea to Samoa, Taiwan and Lord Howe Island. It grows to about 13 cm and has a brownish upper side with a white belly; dark scale margins form a honeycomb pattern and a midlateral row of double dark spots runs along the body, with a conspicuous inverted U-shaped mark by the upper jaw. It lives on coralline sand bottoms of clear lagoons and seaward reefs between 1 and 25 metres depth. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Decorated goby?

The Decorated goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Decorated goby live?

The Decorated goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Decorated goby get?

The Decorated goby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Decorated goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Decorated goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Decorated goby edible?

The Decorated goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Versierde grondel verified
English name
Decorated goby verified
Scientific name
Istigobius decoratus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Decorated Goby; Decorated goby; Decorated sandgoby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Istigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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