ANIMAL: Rainford’s Goby Koumansetta rainfordii Type of Animal: Goby Habitat: Reefs Location(s): Indo-Pacific & W Pacific Appearance: Greenish-yellow head w/ yellow & white markings & black spotting along side of body as well as green & blue body w/ horizontal orange stripes Food/Diet: Filamentous algae, hair algae, turf algae, crustaceans, worms Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in aquariums & aquaculture. Captive breeding reducing demand for wild-caught fish. Lifestyle: Small colonies of 2-8 fish Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Fry Group: Colony Gestation: 3 days Life Span: 5-6 years Body Length: Male: 3 in Female: 2.6 in Main predators are other fish. These fish are very shy. They spawn in burrows. Once eggs laid, male protects nest from all other fish including females. Eggs hatch faster in warmer waters. 1st discovered in 1924 in W Pacific. Specific name rainfordii honors Australian winegrower E.H. Rainford of Queensland Agricultural Department. Assist in keeping sandy substrate clean by filtering sand when looking for food. Often seen hovering over sea bottom. Unlike many other gobies, they don’t often retreat to burrows when disturbed. Fun Fact(s): These fish also known as Old Glory, Court Jester Goby, Red-Striped Goby, & Rainfordii Goby. These fish are good jumpers, doing so when startled/threatened. Females can change sex to male. Males dominant sex in social structure.
