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Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) — Gobiidae

Larson's shrimpgoby

Stonogobiops larsonae
Family: Gobiidae

The Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

Larson's shrimpgoby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from clear sand and rubble water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, white body with oblique dark bars and a yellow head. It lives in a striking partnership with a near-blind pistol shrimp: the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow while the sharp-eyed goby stands guard at the entrance and warns of danger. It snaps at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Larson's shrimpgoby?

The Larson's shrimpgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Larson's shrimpgoby live?

The Larson's shrimpgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Larson's shrimpgoby get?

The Larson's shrimpgoby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Larson's shrimpgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Larson's shrimpgoby 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

Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) — Gobiidae — 2
Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Larson's shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops larsonae) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Larson's shrimpgoby sourced
Scientific name
Stonogobiops larsonae
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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

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 Stonogobiops

More from the family Gobiidae

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