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Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) — Gobiidae

Banded cleaner goby

Tigrigobius digueti
Family: Gobiidae

The Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–21 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

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Description

The Banded cleaner goby is a small reef goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the eastern Pacific, in the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with ornate, narrow crossbars and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits among coral, stones and crevices, sometimes as a cleaner of larger fish, and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded cleaner goby?

The Banded cleaner goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded cleaner goby live?

The Banded cleaner goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

How big does the Banded cleaner goby get?

The Banded cleaner goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Banded cleaner goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded cleaner 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.

More photos

Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ronwoheau, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ronwoheau, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded cleaner goby (Tigrigobius digueti) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded cleaner goby sourced
Scientific name
Tigrigobius digueti
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Banded cleaning goby; Inornate goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
21 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others 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 Tigrigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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