# Goby (*Orangetip goby*) Gobies are small, colorful fish that live in coral reefs and rocky areas. They are known for their unique body shapes and behaviors, making them fascinating to watch in the underwater world. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs, Rocky areas ![Goby](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426073/objects/6126.jpg) ## Appearance The Goby is a small, elongated fish often displaying a large head and prominent eyes. Many species feature two distinct dorsal fins and fused pelvic fins that form a unique suction disc. Their coloration varies widely, often providing camouflage with spots, stripes, or mottled patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Gobiidae - **Genus:** Ancistrogobius ## Interesting facts - Certain male gobies protect their eggs by fanning them, ensuring they get enough oxygen. - Some gobies are among the smallest fish, barely bigger than a fingernail! - Some species can actually change their sex from female to male or male to female! - The amazing Mudskipper, a type of goby, can walk on land and even climb trees! ## Special abilities - **Suction Power:** Goby has fused pelvic fins that help them cling to rocks and coral, even in strong currents. - **Burrow Buddy:** Goby can share burrows with shrimp for protection, relying on the shrimp for home maintenance. - **Alert Watcher:** Goby has sharp eyesight and acts as a lookout, warning burrow-sharing partners of approaching danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 2-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-5 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 200 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Gobies mostly eat tiny crustaceans, worms, and small invertebrates found on the seabed. - **Primary Foods:** Small crustaceans, Marine worms, Mollusks, Fish larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp (*Alpheus bellulus*) — They share a burrow for mutual protection. - **Eaten by:** Convict Tang (*Acanthurus triostegus*) — Larger reef fish often prey on smaller gobies. - **Hunts:** Opossum shrimp (*Mysida punctata*) — Gobies forage for small crustaceans on the seabed. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low When observing gobies in the water, do not disturb their habitat and always respect marine life. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Goby? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Goby? 2-30 cm ### How much does Goby weigh? 0.001-0.2 kg ### How long does Goby live? 1-5 years ### What does Goby eat? Gobies mostly eat tiny crustaceans, worms, and small invertebrates found on the seabed. ### How fast can Goby swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Goby usually found? Coral reefs, Rocky areas ### How does Goby hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Goby: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goby)