Home · Gobiidae · Shark nose goby
Shark nose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) — Gobiidae

Shark nose goby

Elacatinus evelynae
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Shark nose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–53.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sharknose goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species grows to a few centimetres and has a dark body with a brightly coloured, glowing lengthwise stripe from the snout to the tail. It inhabits coral reefs in clear, oceanic water around islands, usually in pairs at coral heads. It is a cleaner fish: it runs a 'cleaning station' where larger fishes come to have parasites, dead skin and mucus removed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shark nose goby?

The Shark nose goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly black and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Shark nose goby live?

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

How big does the Shark nose goby get?

The Shark nose goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Shark nose goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Shark nose goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Shark nose goby edible?

The Shark nose goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Caribische poetsgrondel sourced
English name
Shark nose goby verified
Scientific name
Elacatinus evelynae
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Sharknose goby; Sharpnose Goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
53.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small 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 Elacatinus

More from the family Gobiidae

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