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Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) — Gobiidae

Red-spotted coral goby

Gobiodon rivulatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0–78 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coral reefs, sometimes pools and freshwater streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The broad-barred coral goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a stocky, greenish to brownish body with a few lighter crossbars over the head. It is mainly a marine species living on coral reefs among coral branches, but it has also been recorded from pools, freshwater streams and lagoon mouths. It feeds on small invertebrates and algae. A bitter mucus layer protects it from predators. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red-spotted coral goby?

The Red-spotted coral goby has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Coral dweller with paler vertical bars on the head; bitter mucus layer against predators.

Where does the Red-spotted coral goby live?

The Red-spotted coral goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coral reefs, sometimes pools and freshwater streams.

How big does the Red-spotted coral goby get?

The Red-spotted coral goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Red-spotted coral goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Red-spotted coral goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Red-spotted coral goby edible?

The Red-spotted coral goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) — Gobiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) — Gobiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Red-spotted coral goby (Gobiodon rivulatus) — Gobiidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Red-spotted coral goby verified
Scientific name
Gobiodon rivulatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Rippled coral goby; Rippled coralgoby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green
Pattern
Vertical bars
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
78 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coral reefs, sometimes pools and freshwater streams.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and algae 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
Coral dweller with paler vertical bars on the head; bitter mucus layer against predators. 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 Gobiodon

More from the family Gobiidae

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