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Scaleless goby (Psilotris alepis) — Gobiidae

Scaleless goby

Psilotris alepis
Family: Gobiidae

The Scaleless goby (Psilotris alepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The scaleless goby is a tiny goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and coastal water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has a slender, almost scaleless, translucent body with fine markings. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it sits among coral rubble, stones and gravel and snaps at minute zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scaleless goby?

The Scaleless goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Scaleless goby live?

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

How big does the Scaleless goby get?

The Scaleless goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Scaleless goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Scaleless goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Naakte dwerggrondel sourced
English name
Scaleless goby sourced
Scientific name
Psilotris alepis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Scaleless Goby; Scaleless goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
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 Psilotris

More from the family Gobiidae

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