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Hovering goby (Bryaninops natans) — Gobiidae

Hovering goby

Bryaninops natans
Family: Gobiidae

The Hovering goby (Bryaninops natans) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Hovering goby is a tiny goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 2.5 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body. Unlike most gobies it hovers in small groups just above branching Acropora corals. It eats small zooplankton that drifts past. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hovering goby?

The Hovering goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Hovering goby live?

The Hovering goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Hovering goby get?

The Hovering goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Hovering goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Hovering goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Hovering goby edible?

Yes, the Hovering goby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwevende grondel sourced
English name
Hovering goby sourced
Scientific name
Bryaninops natans
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Purple-eye goby; Purple-eyed goby; Redeye goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bryaninops

More from the family Gobiidae

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