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Barrel goby (Priolepis semidoliata) — Gobiidae

Barrel goby

Priolepis semidoliata
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barrel goby (Priolepis semidoliata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The reef goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a red-brown body with narrow pale crossbars that often cover only the upper half, to which the name refers. It lives concealed, bottom-bound in caves and crevices of seaward reefs, often upside down against the ceiling. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barrel goby?

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

Where does the Barrel goby live?

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

How big does the Barrel goby get?

The Barrel goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Barrel goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Barrel goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Barrel goby edible?

The Barrel goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halfband-rifgrondel sourced
English name
Barrel goby verified
Scientific name
Priolepis semidoliata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Half-banded reef-goby; Half-barred goby; Halfbarred reefgoby; Redhead goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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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