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Masked goby (Coryphopterus personatus) — Gobiidae

Masked goby

Coryphopterus personatus
Family: Gobiidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Masked goby (Coryphopterus personatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–46.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The masked goby is a tiny goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a translucent, orangish body with a dark mask over the eyes, to which the name refers. It lives in schools that hover near large coral columns and heads. As a small plankton feeder it picks small zooplankton from the water. The species can be reared in captivity. Owing to a decline of coral reefs it is listed as Vulnerable (VU). Owing to its small size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Masked goby?

The Masked goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Masked goby live?

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

How big does the Masked goby get?

The Masked goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Masked goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Masked goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Masked goby edible?

The Masked goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maskergrondel sourced
English name
Masked goby verified
Scientific name
Coryphopterus personatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Masked Goby; Masked goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
46.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Coryphopterus

More from the family Gobiidae

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