| Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae |
| Max. size: |
2.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 2 years |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; depth range 0 - 12 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Asia: found only in the Philippines in Lakes Buhi, Bato, Katugday and Manapao in Camarines Sur Province and along the Bicol River system. Threatened due to overfishing and predation by introduced fish species. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Fresh specimens transparent, with large eyes showing the only color, black. Males smaller than females, shorter and more slender. Head naked; body covered with deciduous scales. Scales in longitudinal series 23-24; in transverse series 6. Sides and back of head with few dark or black spots. |
| Biology: |
Adults occur from the shoreline to depths of at least 12 m. Caught with collapsible Y-shaped push-nets (sakag); also aggregated using a device (abung) wherein the fish comes to rest upon palm leaves and are then harvested using triangular nets (sarap). Sinarapan is a delicacy and of great economic importance to the communities around the lakes. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as 'smallest food fish' (Ref. 6472). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 07 September 2020 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
