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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚡ Other 🌡️ Tropical

Poison goby

Gobiodon citrinus Rüppell, 1838
Max Length
6.6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
0–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Associated with colonies of broadly branched corals (Acropora spp.) ; a coral-commensal species . Produces toxic mucus . It has been reared in captivity . Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102). Feeds on small invertebrates and zooplanktons . Maximum depth from Ref. 027115.

Scientific Name
Gobiodon citrinus
Authority
Rüppell, 1838
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
6.6 cm
Depth Range
0–20 m
Latitude
30°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Water Temp
22–27 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. Characterized by having variable body color from yellow to yellowish green or black; presence of pair of blue bars through eye, second pair across back of head; blue stripe along base of dorsal fin; upper pectoral base with small dark spot .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Poison goby is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Poison goby is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawn Location
Demersal

Oviparous, demersal spawner .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m , usually 2 - 20 m . Tropical; 22°C - 27°C ; 30°N - 30°S West Pacific: Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique and east to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.3±0.6
🧍 Solitary
Food Items

small invertebrates and zooplanktons (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
6.6cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–27°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
13.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 30°S
Described By
Rüppell, 1838

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Poison goby is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18 g
Omega-3 (total) 120 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Poison goby has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Gobiodon hypselopterus Bleeker 1875 Synonym
Gobius citrinus Rüppell 1838 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 18 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Poison goby ↗
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