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Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Gobiidae (Gobies) > Gobiinae
Etymology: Trimmatom: Greek, trimma, -atos = something crushed + Greek, tomos = cut (Ref. 45335); nanus: From its small size at sexual maturity; a noun in apposition (Ref. 38635).
More on authors: Winterbottom & Emery.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 35 m (Ref. 90102), usually 20 - 30 m (Ref. 38635). Tropical; 8°N - 10°S
Indo-Pacific. Red Sea, Maldives and Chagos; to Society Is.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 0.9, range 1 - 1 cm
Max length : 1.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 38635)
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Characterized by semi-translucent pale grey body with 10 internal red bars; red head; first dorsal spine, slightly elongate; first three pelvic fin rays branched; fifth pelvic ray unbranched, 15% length of fourth ray; longitudinal scale series 23; predorsal scales absent; cheek and opercle without scales; depth of body 5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Adults inhabit mainly oceanic drop-offs between 20 to 30 m (Ref. 38635). Also found in lagoons and outer reefs in 5-35 m (Ref. 90102). One of the smallest (=shortest) vertebrate of the world, with mature females reaching only 8-10 mm SL; scaleless (Ref. 9360).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E. and M. Goren, 1993. A review of the gobioid fishes of the Maldives. Ichthyol. Bull. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol. (58):1-37, 5 pls. (Ref. 9360)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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