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Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) — Gobiidae

Sponge coral goby

Pleurosicya fringilla
Family: Gobiidae

The Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Tuamotu Is., Ryukyu Is., Madagascar, Mauritius and others

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Description

The sponge coral goby is a tiny goby (Gobiidae) from clear reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has a translucent, slender body with a pink or yellowish tint, so it rests almost invisibly on its host. As a permanent resident it lives on live corals, sponges or large shells and snaps at minute zooplankton and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sponge coral goby?

The Sponge coral goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Sponge coral goby live?

The Sponge coral goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Tuamotu Is., Ryukyu Is., Madagascar, Mauritius and others

How big does the Sponge coral goby get?

The Sponge coral goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Sponge coral goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Sponge coral goby 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

Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) — Gobiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) — Gobiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) — Gobiidae — 4
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Sponge coral goby (Pleurosicya fringilla) — Gobiidae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

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All data

Identification

English name
Sponge coral goby sourced
Scientific name
Pleurosicya fringilla
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Staghorn thicket goby; Staghorn thicketgoby; Staghorn ghostgoby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Tuamotu Is., Ryukyu Is., Madagascar, Mauritius and others 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
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 Pleurosicya

More from the family Gobiidae

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