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Nape-band reef-goby (Priolepis nuchifasciata) — Gobiidae

Nape-band reef-goby

Priolepis nuchifasciata
Family: Gobiidae

The Nape-band reef-goby (Priolepis nuchifasciata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

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Description

The Nape-band reef-goby is a tiny coral goby (Gobiidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has a stocky, often red-brown body with narrow pale crossbars and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a cryptic dweller it often sits upside down in crevices, holes and under overhanging coral and snaps at minute zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nape-band reef-goby?

The Nape-band reef-goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Nape-band reef-goby live?

The Nape-band reef-goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

How big does the Nape-band reef-goby get?

The Nape-band reef-goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Nape-band reef-goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Nape-band reef-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
Nape-band reef-goby sourced
Scientific name
Priolepis nuchifasciata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Threadfin reefgoby; Orange reef-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines 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

Same genus Priolepis

More from the family Gobiidae

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