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Rusty goby (Priolepis hipoliti) — Gobiidae

Rusty goby

Priolepis hipoliti
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Rusty goby (Priolepis hipoliti) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–130.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Priolepis hipoliti is a very small goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a stocky, rusty-brown body with narrow cross-bars and grows to only a few centimetres. It inhabits shallow coral reefs with clear water and often shelters on the undersides of ledges and on the roofs of caves and recesses. It is a bottom dweller feeding on minute crustaceans. Owing to its small size and secretive habits the species is mainly of interest as a reef inhabitant rather than a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rusty goby?

The Rusty goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Rusty goby live?

The Rusty goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Rusty goby get?

The Rusty goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Rusty goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Rusty goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Rusty goby edible?

The Rusty goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roestgrondel sourced
English name
Rusty goby verified
Scientific name
Priolepis hipoliti
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Rusty Goby; Rusty goby; Rusty gody verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
130.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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