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Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) — Gobiidae

Blackline shrimpgoby

Myersina nigrivirgata
Family: Gobiidae

The Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–20 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

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Description

The Blackline shrimpgoby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, pale body with fine markings. 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. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackline shrimpgoby?

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

Where does the Blackline shrimpgoby live?

The Blackline shrimpgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

How big does the Blackline shrimpgoby get?

The Blackline shrimpgoby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Blackline shrimpgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackline 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

Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Daiki Hiura, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) — Gobiidae — 3
? Kanagawa Prefectrual Museum of Natural History (Photo by Toshiyuki Suzuki) (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) klukoff, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blackline shrimpgoby (Myersina nigrivirgata) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackline shrimpgoby sourced
Scientific name
Myersina nigrivirgata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Black-line shrimp-goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
20 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines 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 Myersina

More from the family Gobiidae

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