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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Redhead goby

Paragobiodon echinocephalus Rüppell, 1830
Max Length
4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults live among branches of Stylophora coral. Monogamous . Usually in small groups, also found in lagoon and seaward reefs in 1-10 m (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Paragobiodon echinocephalus
Authority
Rüppell, 1830
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
4 cm
Latitude
32°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Gobiiformes
Gobiiformes
Family
Gobiidae
Gobiidae
Genus
Paragobiodon
Paragobiodon
Species
Redhead goby
Paragobiodon echinocephalus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Head reddish-orange; body and fins black ; characterized further by having ctenoid scales except cycloid on abdomen; scaleless head and nape with bristle-like papillae; complete pelvic fin frenum and basal membrane; longitudinal scale series 23-25; depth of body at level of pelvic fins 3.0-3.2 in SL .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Redhead goby is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Redhead goby is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Bi-directional sex change has been confirmed for this species . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range ? - 47 m . Tropical; 30°N - 32°S East Africa to the Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.1±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
4cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
10

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 32°S
Described By
Rüppell, 1830

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Redhead 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 17.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 133 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Redhead 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

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Black Coral Goby · Dark Coral Goby · Redhead Coral Goby · Redhead Coralgoby, Redhead goby · Redhead Stylophora Goby · Warty-headed Goby · pricklyhead goby · redhead · redhead goby
🇫🇷French Gobiodon à tête rouge
🇯🇵Japanese Darumahaze · ダルマハゼ
🇵🇹Portuguese Góbio-do-coral-de-cabeça-vermelha
🇷🇺Russian Красный волосоголовый бычок
🌍SMO Mano'o-ulutu'i

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Gobius amiciensis Valenciennes 1837 Synonym
Gobius echinocephalus Rüppell 1830 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 26 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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