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Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) — Gobiidae

Lagoon goby

Sicyopus zosterophorus
Family: Gobiidae

The Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

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Description

The Lagoon goby is a climbing goby (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae) from fast-flowing freshwater streams of island streams of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker, with which it climbs over stones and waterfalls. With a ring-shaped mouth it rasps algal film from rocks. The larvae wash to sea and return as juveniles into the river. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lagoon goby?

The Lagoon goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Lagoon goby live?

The Lagoon goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Lagoon goby get?

The Lagoon goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Lagoon goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Lagoon 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.

More photos

Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Whispers of Aqua, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) — Gobiidae — 3
Shao chien, Kao (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lagoon goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Amaury Durbano, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lagoon goby sourced
Scientific name
Sicyopus zosterophorus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Ornate goby; Bali goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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