Elacatinus figaro

Lore & Background

Elacatinus figaro was described in April 1997 in Aqua: Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology. The type specimen was taken at Pedra Do Navio, Ilha Anchieta, Ubatuba, state of São Paulo by I. Sazima, R. Moura and C. Sazima. The generic name Elacatinus derives from Greek elakatines, meaning fusiform fishes preserved in salt, while the specific name figaro references Pierre Beaumarchais's title character in The Barber of Seville.

The barber goby is dark in colour with yellow ventral and dorsal stripes and opaque blue pectoral fins. It has a terminal mouth and the pelvic fins are merged to form a suction cup. It occurs over coral and rocky substrates off mainland Brazil and inshore islands at depths of 3–20 m, either solitarily or in small groups of up to six fish. It is found over coral heads, among encrusting algae and crustose sponges, or near sea urchins, retreating among the spines if threatened. Its diet consists mainly of cleaning other fish, including Ophioblennius atlanticus, Abudefduf saxatilis, Mycteroperca rubra, and Mycteroperca acutirostris.

Reader's Guide

Elacatinus figaro is notable as a cleaner fish in Brazilian coastal ecosystems, removing parasites from larger species such as groupers and damselfish. Its cleaning behaviour and association with sea urchins for refuge illustrate a specialized niche within coral and rocky reef habitats. The species is listed as threatened on the Ministério do Meio Ambiente Red List of Brazilian Fauna (2014), with a recommendation that it fits the vulnerable category of the IUCN Red List. Export of E. figaro from Brazil is illegal, meaning that only captive-bred specimens may be legally sold in the aquarium trade. This conservation status and trade restriction highlight the pressures on endemic marine species and the importance of captive breeding programs. The barber goby's vivid yellow stripes and blue fins make it a visually distinctive member of the Gobiidae, and its scientific name connects it to both ancient Greek ichthyological terms and a classic theatrical character.

Did You Know?

• The specific name figaro references the title character in Pierre Beaumarchais's play The Barber of Seville.
• It feeds mainly by cleaning other fish, including Ophioblennius atlanticus and Mycteroperca rubra.
• Export of Elacatinus figaro from Brazil is illegal.