Home · Gobiidae · Splitbanded goby
Splitbanded goby (Gymneleotris seminuda) — Gobiidae

Splitbanded goby

Gymneleotris seminuda
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Splitbanded goby (Gymneleotris seminuda) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; algae-covered rock and rubble reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Splitbanded goby?

Get the app

Description

The splitbanded goby is a tiny goby of the family Gobiidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to only about 5 cm and inhabits algae-covered rocky and rubble reefs. The elongate body is partly scaleless, to which its name refers, and bears a conspicuous banded pattern. As a small bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates. Gobies usually have fused pelvic fins forming a sucker with which they can cling to the substrate. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Splitbanded goby?

The Splitbanded goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Partly scaleless body with a banded pattern; pelvic fins fused into a small sucker.

Where does the Splitbanded goby live?

The Splitbanded goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; algae-covered rock and rubble reefs.

How big does the Splitbanded goby get?

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

Is the Splitbanded goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Splitbanded goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Splitbanded goby edible?

The Splitbanded goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Splitbanded goby (Gymneleotris seminuda) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Splitbanded goby (Gymneleotris seminuda) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Splitbanded goby (Gymneleotris seminuda) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Splitbanded goby?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Splitbanded goby verified
Scientific name
Gymneleotris seminuda
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Splitbanded goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; algae-covered rock and rubble reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Partly scaleless body with a banded pattern; pelvic fins fused into a small sucker. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Gobiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Splitbanded goby?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Splitbanded goby? Get the app