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Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) — Gobiidae

Pale coral goby

Coryphopterus alloides
Family: Gobiidae

The Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Trinidad Tobago, USA and others

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Description

The pale coral goby is a very small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, pale, semi-translucent body with fine markings and large eyes. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral, sand and rubble near the reef and snaps at small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale coral goby?

The Pale coral goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pale coral goby live?

The Pale coral goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Trinidad Tobago, USA and others

How big does the Pale coral goby get?

The Pale coral goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Pale coral goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale coral 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

Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) — Gobiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) — Gobiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) — Gobiidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pale coral goby (Coryphopterus alloides) — Gobiidae — 5
Baldwin, Carole C., Griswold, Donald (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Pale coral goby sourced
Scientific name
Coryphopterus alloides
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Barfin Goby; Barfin goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Trinidad Tobago, USA 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 Coryphopterus

More from the family Gobiidae

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