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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Decorated goby

Istigobius decoratus Herre, 1927
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
1–25 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

A common species that inhabits areas of coralline sand of clear lagoon and seaward reefs . Found singly. Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

Scientific Name
Istigobius decoratus
Authority
Herre, 1927
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
13 cm
Depth Range
1–25 m
Latitude
40°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Water Temp
23–29 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 26. Color highly variable, brownish on upper half, grading to white below; dark brown scale margins forming honeycomb pattern and midlateral row of double dark brown spots forming rectangular markings ; segmented and non branching caudal rays 3 (rarely 2), branching 14 (rarely 15). Predorsal cycloid scales 7-10, trunk ctenoid. Few with no black spots on nape. Isthmus narrow, scaled forward to vertical at posterior part of preoperculum. 2 diagonal, dusky lines on operculum; an inverted U-shaped spot prominent at the distal end of upper jaw. Pectoral fin with small dusky spots; 2 longitudinal lines on pectoral base spreading onto it fin rays. Sexual dimorphism exhibited in anal, pelvic and 2nd dorsal fin .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Decorated goby is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

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

Genital papilla of male sometimes darkly pigmented and reaching to side of anal spine. Female genital papilla truncate, ending well before origin of anal fin.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 25 m , usually 1 - 18 m . Tropical; 23°C - 29°C ; 30°N - 40°S West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.4±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00891 × L2.91 (TL)
Max TL
13cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
10
Vertebrae
26

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
23–29°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2017

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 40°S
Described By
Herre, 1927

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Decorated 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 18.5 g
Omega-3 (total) 142 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Decorated 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
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Acentrogobius decoratus Herre 1927 Synonym
Ctenogobius decoratus Herre 1927 Synonym
Rhinogobius decoratus Herre 1927 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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