New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Blacktip sandgoby

Fusigobius melacron Randall, 2001
Max Length
3.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
7–31 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Blacktip sandgoby (Fusigobius melacron) is a ray-finned fish of the family Gobiidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 3.5 cm. It occurs at depths between 7 and 31 metres. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Fusigobius melacron
Authority
Randall, 2001
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
3.5 cm
Depth Range
7–31 m
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. Characterized by semi-translucent grey with numerous small yellowish brown or dusky orange-red spots; presence of series of larger dark blotches along back; brown to blackish outer half of first dorsal fin; pelvic fins united only at base; absence of pelvic frenum; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 27; ctenoid scales except cycloid on breast, base of pectoral fin and few scales on side of nape; operculum without scales; median predorsal scales absent; opening of gill extending to below rear edge of preopercle; depth of body 4.7-5.2 in SL .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blacktip sandgoby is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 7 - 31 m . Tropical West Pacific.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.2±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00741 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
3.5cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2022

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Randall, 2001

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Blacktip sandgoby ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.