Butterfly goby
📖 Overview
Adults are epibenthic and littoral, entering estuaries and lagoons . Usually seen in pairs, hovering a short distance above the substratum. Monogamous . It builds its burrow in sand or silty sand by moving out mouthfuls of sediment . Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 9773.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14. Males with 3 black spots near base of 2nd dorsal fin and round spots on cheek; females with brown-edged band from upper lip to upper operculum .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Butterfly goby is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Butterfly goby is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Monogamous mating is observed as both obigate and social .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 10 - 20 m . Tropical; 22°C - 30°C West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa south to Durban (South Africa), including most islands in the western Indian Ocean islands; Indonesia, Australia and South Pacific islands.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Butterfly goby is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 137 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Butterfly goby has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Butterfly goby · Whitelined Goby · tailspot goby |
| 🌍AFR | Vlinder-dikkop |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | قوبيون بقعة الذيل |
| 🌍CES | hlaváč běloskvrnný |
| 🇩🇪German | Grüne Höhlengrundel · Grüne Höhlengrundel |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Perhostokko |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Sarasahaze |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Staartvlekgrondel |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Белополосый амблигобиус |
| 🌍TAH | 'O'opu |
| 🌍TGL | Bia |
| 🌍THA | ปลาบู่ปะการัง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 白条钝鰕虎鱼 · 白條鈍鰕虎魚 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 29 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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