spotted algae-eating goby
Sicydium punctatum
Description 3
Sicydium punctatum is 1 of 7 species of freshwater fish living in gut habitats. This smaller stream goby is commonly called the spotted algae-eating goby or the green stream goby coined after its remarkable color patterns. This species is quite unique as it has the ability to climb over barriers such as vertical slope precipices or waterfalls as long as some degree of trickling flow persists. S. punctatum has the ability to exhibit a variety of colors. This most likely depends on sex and age. This species is a herbivore feeding on algae off rocks on the bottom of the guts. Approaching the gut these species of fish appear to swim off frantically. Depending on the time of year and location, you may able to observe the spotted algae-eating goby due to its iridescent blue-green color. This is the only fish species present in pools at higher elevations in the mountains of St . Thomas and St. John, U.S Virgin Islands. Other fish do not have the same adapted physical characteristics that allow them to overcome obstacles during upstream migration. This species is quite unique and common in the guts.
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You can observe Sicydium punctatum swimming in the guts in a video on my research page: https://www.facebook.com/GutLifeVI/videos/1025747927482841/
Sources and Credits
- (c) Kayla Tennant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Kayla Tennant
- (c) Kayla Tennant, all rights reserved, uploaded by Kayla Tennant
- (c) Kayla Tennant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
