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Parva sleeper goby (Valenciennea parva) — Gobiidae

Parva sleeper goby

Valenciennea parva
Family: Gobiidae

The Parva sleeper goby (Valenciennea parva) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives and others

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Description

The Parva sleeper goby is a sleeper goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, pale white with yellow lines on the head body with large eyes. Characteristically it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates; it often lives in pairs by a shared burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Parva sleeper goby?

The Parva sleeper goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Parva sleeper goby live?

The Parva sleeper goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives and others

How big does the Parva sleeper goby get?

The Parva sleeper goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Parva sleeper goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Parva 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Parva sleeper goby sourced
Scientific name
Valenciennea parva
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Little glidergoby; Little sleeper-goby; Parva goby; Little glider goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives 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 Valenciennea

More from the family Gobiidae

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