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Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) — Microdesmidae

Black-spot worm goby

Gunnellichthys monostigma
Family: Microdesmidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–20 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; open sandy bottoms with current.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The onespot wormfish is a wormfish (Microdesmidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a very elongate, worm-shaped body with a long, low dorsal and anal fin and a dark spot near the head. It lives over open sandy bottoms and sand slopes subject to strong currents, where on threat it darts into a burrow. It feeds on small zooplankton from the current. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-spot worm goby?

The Black-spot worm goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Worm-shaped body; dives lightning-fast into a burrow in the sandy bottom when threatened.

Where does the Black-spot worm goby live?

The Black-spot worm goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; open sandy bottoms with current.

How big does the Black-spot worm goby get?

The Black-spot worm goby grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Black-spot worm goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-spot worm goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-spot worm goby edible?

The Black-spot worm goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) — Microdesmidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) — Microdesmidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) — Microdesmidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nico K. Michiels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-spot worm goby (Gunnellichthys monostigma) — Microdesmidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Robin Sidney Kraft, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-spot worm goby verified
Scientific name
Gunnellichthys monostigma
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Black-spot worm-goby; Onespot wormfish; Worm goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
20 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; open sandy bottoms with current.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton from the water current sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Worm-shaped body; dives lightning-fast into a burrow in the sandy bottom when threatened. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

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

Same genus Gunnellichthys

More from the family Microdesmidae

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