Rubble Pygmygoby

Trimma naudei

The Rubble Pygmygoby, a member of the goby family, is a small reef-associated fish found in tropical waters. It inhabits the Indo-West Pacific region, including locations such as the Seychelles, Aldabra, Chagos Islands, Ryukyu Islands, and Loyalty Islands, as well as the Mariana and Marshall Islands in Micronesia. This species typically resides at depths ranging from 3 to 30 meters, preferring environments like lagoons and seaward reefs. It is often seen on rubble and reef rock, and occasionally over coral patches interspersed with fine sandy bottoms. This diminutive fish reaches a maximum length of 3.5 cm and is characterized by its orange-red body adorned with distinctive white spots. It has a unique facial pattern with a dusky orange-grey color under the orbit and an orange vertical blotch edged in melanophores. The Rubble Pygmygoby feeds on small marine organisms such as copepods, ostracods, and radiolarians. Divers might encounter these gobies forming small schools, contributing to the diversity of life on the reef. The Rubble Pygmygoby is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers exploring its habitats can observe this harmless species as it goes about its daily activities on the reef.