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Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae

Brown-barred sandgoby

Istigobius rigilius
Family: Gobiidae

The Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Brown-barred sandgoby is a small sandgoby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a pale, partly translucent body with fine dark spots. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and rubble patches near coral reefs and snaps at small bottom life; it sometimes sifts sand through the gills. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown-barred sandgoby?

The Brown-barred sandgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brown-barred sandgoby live?

The Brown-barred sandgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Brown-barred sandgoby get?

The Brown-barred sandgoby grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Brown-barred sandgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown-barred sandgoby 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

Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae — 2
TGriffin (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae — 3
Curtis Hart (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae — 4
Tahn Miller (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Brown-barred sandgoby (Istigobius rigilius) — Gobiidae — 5
Curtis Hart (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Brown-barred sandgoby sourced
Scientific name
Istigobius rigilius
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Orange-spotted goby; Orangespotted sandgoby; Rigilius goby; Brown-speckled sand-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Japan 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 Istigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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