Needlespine Coral Goby is a small fish found in coral reefs and eelgrass beds in the western central Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia to Palau.
This fish is usually found in areas surrounded by corals and near eel-grass flats. It lives among hard coral branches like Echinopora horrida, E.mammiformis, and Hydnophora rigida.
While Needlespine Coral Goby is mostly safe for reefs, it can cause harm to unhealthy Acropora corals by laying its eggs inside the coral’s tissue.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Needlespine Coral Goby Interesting Facts
- Found in the western central Pacific Ocean, Needlespine Coral Goby lives among coral reefs and eelgrass beds.
- Growing up to 1.5 inches (3.9 centimeters) long, this tropical fish has a unique filamentous first dorsal spine.
- Usually safe for reefs, they can damage unhealthy Acropora corals by laying eggs in coral tissue.
- With colors ranging from yellowish-brown to black, it lacks scales and has a complete pelvic fin structure.
Needlespine Coral Goby Habitat
Needlespine Coral Goby is a tropical fish found in the western central Pacific Ocean, from Palau to Indonesia.
It lives in marine environments, specifically around coral reefs, at depths of up to 10 meters (33 feet).
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Needlespine Coral Goby Physical Characteristics
Size: 1.5 inches (3.9 centimeters)
Needlespine Coral Goby grows up to 1.5 inches (3.9 centimeters) long. It has 6 to 7 dorsal spines, 10 to 11 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, and 9 anal soft rays.
Needlespine Coral Goby is unique among its genus because it has a filamentous first dorsal spine. Its color ranges from yellowish-brown to black, including its fins.
The first dorsal fin is triangular and elongated at the tip. This fish lacks scales and has a complete pelvic fin structure connected by a membrane that reaches the anus.
Its body depth at the pelvic fin level is about two to two-and-a-half times its standard length.
Needlespine Coral Goby Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Gobiidae |
| Genus: | Gobiodon |
| Scientific Name: | Gobiodon acicularis |
| Also Known As: | Needlespine Coral Goby |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |