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Arrow dartgoby (Ptereleotris evides) — Microdesmidae

Arrow dartgoby

Ptereleotris evides
Family: Microdesmidae
LC · Least Concern

The Arrow dartgoby (Ptereleotris evides) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The arrow dartgoby is a graceful dartfish of the family Microdesmidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 14 cm and has an elongate body that is blue-grey at the front and dark towards the rear. It inhabits outer reef slopes, lagoons and bays. Adults live monogamously in pairs; they hover 1 to 2 m above the bottom to snatch zooplankton from the water and dart arrow-fast into a burrow in the substrate when alarmed. Through its attractive behaviour and colours the species is popular with divers and in the marine aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arrow dartgoby?

The Arrow dartgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Arrow dartgoby live?

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

How big does the Arrow dartgoby get?

The Arrow dartgoby grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Arrow dartgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Arrow dartgoby is harmless to humans.

Is the Arrow dartgoby edible?

The Arrow dartgoby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-pijlgrondel sourced
English name
Arrow dartgoby verified
Scientific name
Ptereleotris evides
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Arrow dart-goby; Arrow goby; Blackfin dartfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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 Ptereleotris

More from the family Microdesmidae

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