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Janss' cleaner goby (Tigrigobius janssi) — Gobiidae

Janss' cleaner goby

Tigrigobius janssi
Family: Gobiidae

The Janss' cleaner goby (Tigrigobius janssi) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama

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Description

The Janss' cleaner goby is a small reef goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with ornate, narrow crossbars and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits among coral, stones and crevices, sometimes as a cleaner of larger fish, and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Janss' cleaner goby?

The Janss' cleaner goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Janss' cleaner goby live?

The Janss' cleaner goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama

How big does the Janss' cleaner goby get?

The Janss' cleaner goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Janss' cleaner goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Janss' cleaner 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
Janss' cleaner goby sourced
Scientific name
Tigrigobius janssi
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spotback goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama 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 Tigrigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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