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Ornatetail shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris bellicauda) — Gobiidae

Ornatetail shrimpgoby

Amblyeleotris bellicauda
Family: Gobiidae

The Ornatetail shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris bellicauda) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Caledonia

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Description

The Ornatetail shrimpgoby is a goby (Gobiidae) from clear sand and rubble water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, pale body with colourful bars or spots. It lives in a striking partnership with a near-blind pistol shrimp: the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow while the sharp-eyed goby guards the entrance and warns of danger with a flick of its tail. It snaps at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ornatetail shrimpgoby?

The Ornatetail shrimpgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Ornatetail shrimpgoby live?

The Ornatetail shrimpgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Caledonia

How big does the Ornatetail shrimpgoby get?

The Ornatetail shrimpgoby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Ornatetail shrimpgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Ornatetail shrimpgoby 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
Ornatetail shrimpgoby sourced
Scientific name
Amblyeleotris bellicauda
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Caledonia 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

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 Amblyeleotris

More from the family Gobiidae

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