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Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) — Gobiidae

Blueband glider goby

Valenciennea strigata
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–25 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on clear outer and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blueband glider goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 18 cm and has a light-grey body with a yellow head and a conspicuous light-blue band across the cheek. It is common on clear outer lagoon and seaward reefs, over hard bottoms and over sand and rubble, typically along reef crests in shallow water. The species lives monogamously in pairs and hovers near its burrow. It feeds by taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting it through the gills for small bottom invertebrates, fishes and fish eggs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blueband glider goby?

The Blueband glider goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Yellow head with a blue cheek band; sifts sand and lives monogamously in a burrow.

Where does the Blueband glider goby live?

The Blueband glider goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, on clear outer and seaward reefs.

How big does the Blueband glider goby get?

The Blueband glider goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Blueband glider goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Blueband glider goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blueband glider goby edible?

Yes, the Blueband glider goby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) — Gobiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blueband glider goby (Valenciennea strigata) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blueband glider goby verified
Scientific name
Valenciennea strigata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Blueband glidergoby; Blueband goby; Blue-streak goby; Golden-head sleeper-goby; Pennant glider; Sleeper goby; Watchman goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18 verified
Average length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
25 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on clear outer and seaward reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, fishes and fish eggs, sifted from the sand sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
1 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Yellow head with a blue cheek band; sifts sand and lives monogamously in a burrow. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
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 Valenciennea

More from the family Gobiidae

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