Home · Gobiidae · Saipan dwarfgoby
Saipan dwarfgoby (Eviota saipanensis) — Gobiidae

Saipan dwarfgoby

Eviota saipanensis
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Saipan dwarfgoby (Eviota saipanensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–5 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Saipan dwarfgoby?

Get the app

Description

The Saipan dwarfgoby is a very small goby from the western Pacific, ranging from southern Taiwan and Vietnam to Palau, Micronesia and Guam. The species grows to only about 2.6 cm and has a streamlined body with two dorsal fins, characteristic of the dwarfgobies. It lives in tide pools of exposed seaward reefs 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 Saipan dwarfgoby?

The Saipan dwarfgoby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Very small tide-pool goby of exposed reefs

Where does the Saipan dwarfgoby live?

The Saipan dwarfgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific

How big does the Saipan dwarfgoby get?

The Saipan dwarfgoby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Saipan dwarfgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Saipan dwarfgoby 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 Saipan dwarfgoby edible?

The Saipan dwarfgoby is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saipan dwarfgoby?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saipan dwarfgoby is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Saipan dwarfgoby verified
Scientific name
Eviota saipanensis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Saipan pygmy goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Max depth (m)
5 sourced
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Tide-pool dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very small tide-pool goby of exposed reefs 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

Same genus Eviota

More from the family Gobiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saipan dwarfgoby?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saipan dwarfgoby is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Saipan dwarfgoby? Get the app