Goby

ID points

• The two pelvic fins are fused into a single sucker
• Tiny; always resting on the bottom rather than hovering
• Eyes bulging on top of the head, looking upward

Basics

Family

Gobiidae

Length

3–10 cm

Depth

0-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic

Distribution

On the bottom and sand of tropical coral reefs worldwide

Habitat

Reef bottoms and sandy patches

Diet

Small benthic invertebrates

Easily confused with

MudskipperTwo eyes bulge from the top of the head and swivel independentlySignal GobyEach of the two dorsal fins carries a large eyespot, together like a faceYellow Watchman GobyBright yellow all over, scattered with small pale blue spots

Fun fact

The goby and the pistol shrimp form one of the classic partnerships in nature. The shrimp does the digging and the maintenance of the burrow, while the goby stands guard at the entrance; the moment it spots danger it touches the shrimp with its tail fin and both dart inside.

More in this family

• Lizard Goby
• Neon Goby
• Shrimp Goby