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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Blue gudgeon

Ptereleotris microlepis Bleeker, 1856
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
1–50 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs, over rubble and sand bottoms . They are found from shallow silty estuaries and inlets to outer reef lagoons to about 10 meters depth, but may also be seen deep on coastal slopes to 25 meters depth . They occur in pairs occupying the same burrow, but at times more than 2 individuals will retreat to the same refuge (particularly true for juveniles). Monogamous . Adults feed on zooplanktons .

Scientific Name
Ptereleotris microlepis
Authority
Bleeker, 1856
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
13 cm
Depth Range
1–50 m
Latitude
30°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.4
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Water Temp
22–27 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 29; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 24 - 27; Vertebrae: 26 - 27. Pale to bluish gray in color; pectoral fin base with a narrow, pale blue-edged, black band; postorbital head with irregular, pale to iridescent blue bands and spots. Chin with a median, fleshy protuberance narrowing to a thin fold. Scales embedded, close-set, non imbricate (except on posterior part). 1st dorsal fin lower than 2nd; 2nd dorsal and anal fins elevated anteriorly. Closely resembles P. heteropterus but lacks the blue mark on the tail .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blue gudgeon is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Blue gudgeon is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 1 - 50 m , usually 1 - 10 m . Tropical; 22°C - 27°C ; 30°N - 30°S north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.4±0.4
Food Items

zooplanktons (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
13cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
27
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
26
Vertebrae
27

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

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

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2022

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 30°S
Described By
Bleeker, 1856

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Blue gudgeon 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 18.1 g
Omega-3 (total) 98 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Blue gudgeon 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 Green Goby · Green silk gudgeon · Green-eye Dart-goby · Green-eyed Dart-goby · Green-eyed Goby · Greeneye Dartgoby · Long-finned Gudgeon · Pale Dartfish · Pearly Dartfish · Smallscale Sleeper · blue gudgeon · smallscale hover goby · Smallscale Hovergoby
🌍CES hlaváčovec zelenooký
🇫🇷French Poisson-fléchette nacré
🇯🇵Japanese Itoman-kuroyurihaze · Itomankuroyurihaze · イトマンクロユリハゼ
🌍MSA Gobi-busur biru · Roket asli-apollo
🇵🇹Portuguese Peixe-dardo-perolado
🌍SMO Ma'ulu
🌍THA ปลาบู่ลูกดอก
🇨🇳Chinese 細鱗凹尾塘鱧

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Eleotris elongata Alleyne & Macleay 1877 Synonym
Eleotris microlepis Bleeker 1856 Synonym
Gracileotris bockensis Herre 1953 Synonym
Ptereleotris andamensis Herre 1939 Synonym
Ptereleotris letholepis Clark 1938 Synonym
Ptereleotris microlepis itomanensis Aoyagi 1949 Synonym
Ptereleotris playfairi Whitley 1933 Synonym
Pteroeleotris microlepis Bleeker 1856 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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