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Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) — Gobiidae

Decorated sandgoby

Valenciennea decora
Family: Gobiidae

The Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–33 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga

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Description

The decorated sandgoby is a goby (Gobiidae) from clear sand and rubble water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, white to pearly body with ornate orange and blue stripes on the head. As a bottom-dweller it constantly takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates; it often lives in pairs by a self-dug burrow under a stone. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Decorated sandgoby?

The Decorated sandgoby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Decorated sandgoby live?

The Decorated sandgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga

How big does the Decorated sandgoby get?

The Decorated sandgoby grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Decorated sandgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Decorated 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

Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Decorated sandgoby (Valenciennea decora) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Decorated sandgoby sourced
Scientific name
Valenciennea decora
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Decorated glider goby; Decorated glidergoby; Orange-banded sleeper; Decora goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
33 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga 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 Valenciennea

More from the family Gobiidae

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