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Peppered goby (Pariah scotius) — Gobiidae

Peppered goby

Pariah scotius
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Peppered goby (Pariah scotius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–28.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The peppered goby is a very small goby from the western Atlantic, off the southern Bahamas. The species grows to only about 2.5 cm and has a dark body with large pigment cells and paler fins; the pelvic fins are united into a sucking disc. It lives hidden in large loggerhead sponges on reefs between 12 and 28 metres depth and feeds on small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peppered goby?

The Peppered goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly black and shows a spots pattern. Lives in loggerhead sponges; pelvic fins fused into a sucking disc

Where does the Peppered goby live?

The Peppered goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic

How big does the Peppered goby get?

The Peppered goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Peppered goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Peppered 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 Peppered goby edible?

The Peppered goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Peppered goby verified
Scientific name
Pariah scotius
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Sponge-dwelling small goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Lives in loggerhead sponges; pelvic fins fused into a sucking disc sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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

More from the family Gobiidae

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