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Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) — Gobiidae

Allen's shrimpgoby

Tomiyamichthys alleni
Family: Gobiidae

The Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15–40 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Fiji, Indonesia, Japan

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Description

The Allen's shrimpgoby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, pale body with fine markings and large pectoral fins. Characteristically it lives in symbiosis with a blind digging shrimp: the shrimp digs and maintains the shared burrow while the sharp-eyed goby stands guard and warns of danger. It eats small zooplankton and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Allen's shrimpgoby?

The Allen's shrimpgoby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Allen's shrimpgoby live?

The Allen's shrimpgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Fiji, Indonesia, Japan

How big does the Allen's shrimpgoby get?

The Allen's shrimpgoby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Allen's shrimpgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Allen's shrimpgoby 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

Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ivan Samra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Allen's shrimpgoby (Tomiyamichthys alleni) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) barthazes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Allen's shrimpgoby sourced
Scientific name
Tomiyamichthys alleni
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
40 verified
Natural range
Asia: Fiji, Indonesia, Japan sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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 Tomiyamichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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