Blue-banded Goby, also known as Catalina Goby, is found in the eastern Pacific. Its scientific name is Lythrypnus dalli.
This fish is found from Monterey Bay, California to northern Peru and in the Gulf of California.
The name honors scientist William Healey Dall who found one of the first specimens near Catalina Harbor, California.
Blue-banded Gobies prefer open rocky areas but will hide when they feel threatened.
They are territorial and usually stay near a hole or crevice while resting on rocks. Their main food source is small crustaceans.
These fish are often seen with another species called Lythrypnus zebra.
Blue-banded Gobies are popular in aquariums and safe for coral reefs.
Blue-banded Goby Interesting Facts
- Blue-banded Goby can change gender quickly and is a bidirectional hermaphrodite.
- Adults grow up to 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters) long, making them popular in aquariums.
- Their main food source is small crustaceans.
- These fish are safe for coral reefs.
Blue-banded Goby Habitat
Blue-banded Goby is found in the Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Ecuador and north of Peru.
It lives in coastal waters between 0 to 76 meters (0 to 249 feet) deep with rocky bottoms that have hiding spots like crevices. It also hides among sea urchin spines.
This subtropical fish prefers water temperatures between 64.4°F to 71.6°F (18°C to 22°C).
| Water Temperature: | 64.4°F to 71.6°F (18°C to 22°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Blue-banded Goby Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters)
Blue-banded Goby grows up to 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters) long.
Blue-banded Goby Reproduction
Blue-banded Goby lays eggs (oviparous) and spawns at the bottom of the water (demersal spawner).
Both males and females take part in breeding, and they do so within small neighboring territories.
Male Blue-banded Gobies protect the eggs, which are attached to the walls of their nesting area.
This fish is unique because it can function as both male and female at the same time (simultaneous hermaphrodite), with different amounts of reproductive tissue dedicated to each role.
Blue-banded Goby can also change its gender in both directions – from male to female or female to male – a process known as bi-directional gender change.
Blue-banded Goby Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Gobiidae |
| Genus: | Lythrypnus |
| Scientific Name: | Lythrypnus dalli |
| Also Known As: | Blue-banded Goby, Catalina Goby |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |