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Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) — Gobiidae

Longfinned sleeper goby

Valenciennea longipinnis
Family: Gobiidae

The Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The longfinned sleeper goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, light-grey body with blue and orange lines and spots and an elongate dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in pairs on sand and rubble bottoms of shallow reefs, digs burrows under stones and sifts mouthfuls of sand, filtering out small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfinned sleeper goby?

The Longfinned sleeper goby has an elongate, eel-like body.

Where does the Longfinned sleeper goby live?

The Longfinned sleeper goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Longfinned sleeper goby get?

The Longfinned sleeper goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Longfinned sleeper goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfinned sleeper 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.

Is the Longfinned sleeper goby edible?

Yes, the Longfinned sleeper goby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) — Gobiidae — 2
momaz (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Longfinned sleeper goby (Valenciennea longipinnis) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Claire Goiran, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Longfinned sleeper goby sourced
Scientific name
Valenciennea longipinnis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Longfinned goby; Long-finned goby; Ocellate glider goby; Ocellate glidergoby; Ocellated goby; Ocellated gudgeon; Teardrop sleeper-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Valenciennea

More from the family Gobiidae

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