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Trimma charon, a new species of pygmygoby (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the Red Sea with a key to the Red Sea species of the genus expand article infoViktor N. Peinemann, Sergey V. Bogorodsky, Matthew D. Tietbohl Talas, Michael L. Berumen
Trimma charon – a new pygmygoby from the Red Sea
Trimma charon belongs to the goby family (Gobiidae). Its scientific description was published on 24 September 2026 in the journal ZooKeys. It was based on two specimens collected in the northern Red Sea off Saudi Arabia, at a depth of 30 metres near the entrance to a cave on a steep outer reef slope.
The species has striking colouration: its translucent body bears a broad orange-red stripe extending from the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Three narrow, pale bars interrupt this stripe. Distinctive golden spots mark the caudal fin and caudal peduncle. The iris is divided into four uneven white and orange sectors.
The species is distinguished from similar species, particularly Trimma anaima, by a combination of anatomical features. These include 14 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, scaleless cheeks and opercles, and a short, unbranched fifth pelvic-fin ray. The study also provides an illustrated identification key to the Trimma species of the Red Sea. With this new description, the number of recognised species in the region rises to eleven. Scientific abstract on PubMed
The name “charon” refers to Charon, the ferryman of the underworld in Greek mythology, who received coins for transporting the souls of the dead. The golden spots on the fish’s tail resemble these coins and inspired its name. Name origin at ETYFish
Diet: small zooplancton and zoobenthos.
Keeping in an tank is possible, but the species is rarely imported, but could be a colourful hotspot in our tanks.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The term "reef safe" is often used in marine aquaristics, especially when buying a new species people often ask if the new animal is "reef safe".
What exactly does reef safe mean?
To answer this question, you can ask target-oriented questions and inquire in forums, clubs, dealers and with aquarist friends:
- Are there already experiences and keeping reports that assure that the new animal can live in other suitably equipped aquariums without ever having caused problems?
- Is there any experience of invertebrates (crustaceans, hermits, mussels, snails) or corals being attacked by other inhabitants such as fish of the same or a different species?
- Is any information known or expected about a possible change in dietary habits, e.g., from a plant-based diet to a meat-based diet?
- Do the desired animals leave the reef structure "alone", do they constantly change it (boring starfish, digger gobies, parrotfish, triggerfish) and thus disturb or displace other co-inhabitants?
- do new animals tend to get diseases repeatedly and very quickly and can they be treated?
- Do known peaceful animals change their character in the course of their life and become aggressive?
- Can the death of a new animal possibly even lead to the death of the rest of the stock through poisoning (possible with some species of sea cucumbers)?
- Last but not least the keeper of the animals has to be included in the "reef safety", there are actively poisonous, passively poisonous animals, animals that have dangerous biting or stinging weapons, animals with extremely strong nettle poisons, these have to be (er)known and a plan of action should have been made in advance in case of an attack on the aquarist (e.g. telephone numbers of the poison control center, the treating doctor, the tropical institute etc.).
If all questions are evaluated positively in the sense of the animal(s) and the keeper, then one can assume a "reef safety".
Trimma charon – a new pygmygoby from the Red Sea
Trimma charon belongs to the goby family (Gobiidae). Its scientific description was published on 24 September 2026 in the journal ZooKeys. It was based on two specimens collected in the northern Red Sea off Saudi Arabia, at a depth of 30 metres near the entrance to a cave on a steep outer reef slope.
The species has striking colouration: its translucent body bears a broad orange-red stripe extending from the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Three narrow, pale bars interrupt this stripe. Distinctive golden spots mark the caudal fin and caudal peduncle. The iris is divided into four uneven white and orange sectors.
The species is distinguished from similar species, particularly Trimma anaima, by a combination of anatomical features. These include 14 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, scaleless cheeks and opercles, and a short, unbranched fifth pelvic-fin ray. The study also provides an illustrated identification key to the Trimma species of the Red Sea. With this new description, the number of recognised species in the region rises to eleven. Scientific abstract on PubMed
The name “charon” refers to Charon, the ferryman of the underworld in Greek mythology, who received coins for transporting the souls of the dead. The golden spots on the fish’s tail resemble these coins and inspired its name. Name origin at ETYFish
Diet: small zooplancton and zoobenthos.
Keeping in an tank is possible, but the species is rarely imported, but could be a colourful hotspot in our tanks.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The term "reef safe" is often used in marine aquaristics, especially when buying a new species people often ask if the new animal is "reef safe".
What exactly does reef safe mean?
To answer this question, you can ask target-oriented questions and inquire in forums, clubs, dealers and with aquarist friends:
- Are there already experiences and keeping reports that assure that the new animal can live in other suitably equipped aquariums without ever having caused problems?
- Is there any experience of invertebrates (crustaceans, hermits, mussels, snails) or corals being attacked by other inhabitants such as fish of the same or a different species?
- Is any information known or expected about a possible change in dietary habits, e.g., from a plant-based diet to a meat-based diet?
- Do the desired animals leave the reef structure "alone", do they constantly change it (boring starfish, digger gobies, parrotfish, triggerfish) and thus disturb or displace other co-inhabitants?
- do new animals tend to get diseases repeatedly and very quickly and can they be treated?
- Do known peaceful animals change their character in the course of their life and become aggressive?
- Can the death of a new animal possibly even lead to the death of the rest of the stock through poisoning (possible with some species of sea cucumbers)?
- Last but not least the keeper of the animals has to be included in the "reef safety", there are actively poisonous, passively poisonous animals, animals that have dangerous biting or stinging weapons, animals with extremely strong nettle poisons, these have to be (er)known and a plan of action should have been made in advance in case of an attack on the aquarist (e.g. telephone numbers of the poison control center, the treating doctor, the tropical institute etc.).
If all questions are evaluated positively in the sense of the animal(s) and the keeper, then one can assume a "reef safety".
