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Spotted goby (Coryphopterus punctipectophorus) — Gobiidae

Spotted goby

Coryphopterus punctipectophorus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotted goby (Coryphopterus punctipectophorus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–37.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spotted goby is a small goby from the western Atlantic, known from Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and South Carolina. It grows to about 7 cm and has a pale, translucent body with fine spotting and two separate dorsal fins, characteristic of gobies. It lives as a bottom-dweller on sand and reef bottoms between about 18 and 37 metres depth and feeds omnivorously on small organisms. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted goby?

The Spotted goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Pale translucent body with fine speckles; bottom-dwelling goby

Where does the Spotted goby live?

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

How big does the Spotted goby get?

The Spotted goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spotted goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted goby 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 Spotted goby edible?

The Spotted goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted goby verified
Scientific name
Coryphopterus punctipectophorus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling organisms inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller on sandy and reef bottoms; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pale translucent body with fine speckles; bottom-dwelling goby 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 Coryphopterus

More from the family Gobiidae

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