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Mottled reefgoby (Hetereleotris poecila) — Gobiidae

Mottled reefgoby

Hetereleotris poecila
Family: Gobiidae

The Mottled reefgoby (Hetereleotris poecila) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Mottled reefgoby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, stones and crevices and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mottled reefgoby?

The Mottled reefgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Mottled reefgoby live?

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

How big does the Mottled reefgoby get?

The Mottled reefgoby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Mottled reefgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Mottled reefgoby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bonte rifgrondel sourced
English name
Mottled reefgoby sourced
Scientific name
Hetereleotris poecila
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 Hetereleotris

More from the family Gobiidae

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