Home · Gobiidae · Spotted algae-eating goby
Spotted algae-eating goby (Sicydium punctatum) — Gobiidae

Spotted algae-eating goby

Sicydium punctatum
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotted algae-eating goby (Sicydium punctatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The spotted algae-eating goby is a goby from fresh water of the Caribbean and surrounding islands. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky body with an inferior sucking mouth and fused pelvic fins forming a suction disc. With these it clings to stones in fast-flowing streams and grazes algae; juveniles even climb up waterfalls. It is amphidromous: the larvae wash out to sea and return. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted algae-eating goby?

The Spotted algae-eating goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotted algae-eating goby live?

The Spotted algae-eating goby lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Spotted algae-eating goby get?

The Spotted algae-eating goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spotted algae-eating goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted algae-eating goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted algae-eating goby edible?

The Spotted algae-eating goby is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestippelde klimgrondel verified
English name
Spotted algae-eating goby verified
Scientific name
Sicydium punctatum
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spotted algae-eating goby; Tritri verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sicydium

More from the family Gobiidae

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