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Spiny dwarfgoby (Minyichthys sentus) — Syngnathidae

Spiny dwarfgoby

Minyichthys sentus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Spiny dwarfgoby (Minyichthys sentus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Canary Is.

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Description

The spiny dwarfgoby is a very small dwarfgoby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 2 cm and has a stocky, semi-translucent, lightly spotted body with large eyes and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a shy bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, stones and in crevices and snaps at tiny crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spiny dwarfgoby?

The Spiny dwarfgoby has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spiny dwarfgoby live?

The Spiny dwarfgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Canary Is.

How big does the Spiny dwarfgoby get?

The Spiny dwarfgoby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Spiny dwarfgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spiny 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.

More photos

Spiny dwarfgoby (Minyichthys sentus) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) SLouisy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spiny dwarfgoby (Minyichthys sentus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) SLouisy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spiny dwarfgoby (Minyichthys sentus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Estrada, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Spiny dwarfgoby and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spiny dwarfgoby sourced
Scientific name
Minyichthys sentus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Canary Is. 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
Yes 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 Minyichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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