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Pygmy goby (Trimmatom eviotops) — Gobiidae

Pygmy goby

Trimmatom eviotops
Family: Gobiidae

The Pygmy goby (Trimmatom eviotops) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pygmy goby is one of the very smallest fish in the world, a goby (Gobiidae) from clear reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to only about 1.5 cm and has a stocky, semi-translucent body with large eyes. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it sits among coral rubble, gravel and crevices and snaps at minute zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy goby?

The Pygmy goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pygmy goby live?

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

How big does the Pygmy goby get?

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

Is the Pygmy goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-pygmeegrondel sourced
English name
Pygmy goby sourced
Scientific name
Trimmatom eviotops
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Redbarred atom goby; Redbarred atomgoby; Red-barred rubble goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trimmatom

More from the family Gobiidae

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