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Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) — Gobiidae

Epaulet dwarfgoby

Eviota infulata
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–16 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The dwarfgoby is a dwarfgoby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is very small and largely translucent with a few dark markings and large eyes. It inhabits shallow, silty coastal reefs and keeps among algal turf and coral. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Owing to its tiny size it is a prey fish for larger reef fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Epaulet dwarfgoby?

The Epaulet dwarfgoby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Very small, largely translucent goby of algal turf on coastal reefs; prey fish.

Where does the Epaulet dwarfgoby live?

The Epaulet dwarfgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs.

How big does the Epaulet dwarfgoby get?

The Epaulet dwarfgoby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Epaulet dwarfgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Epaulet dwarfgoby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Epaulet dwarfgoby edible?

The Epaulet dwarfgoby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) — Gobiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) — Gobiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Raphael Forns, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Epaulet dwarfgoby (Eviota infulata) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) juju98, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Epaulet dwarfgoby verified
Scientific name
Eviota infulata
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Infulata pygmy goby; Shouldermark dwarfgoby; Shouldermark Eviota; Shoulder-mark pygmy goby; Shoulder-patch pygmy-goby; Smith's coral goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
16 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very small, largely translucent goby of algal turf on coastal reefs; prey fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Eviota

More from the family Gobiidae

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