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Stout infantfish

Stout infantfish

One of the world's smallest marine fish species

The stout infantfish is a tiny marine goby native to Australian reefs. It reaches a maximum length of just ten millimetres. Scientists described it in 2004 after collecting specimens decades earlier. It once held the record for the smallest known vertebrate animal.

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  • Maximum length is only 10 millimetres
  • Native to Great Barrier and Osprey Reefs
  • Once held record for smallest vertebrate
  • Described scientifically in 2004
  • Weighs as little as 0.7 milligrams

What it is

The stout infantfish is a minute marine species belonging to the goby family. It has a short and thick body compared to its relatives. Males typically measure about 7.7 millimetres in standard length. A gravid female recorded was slightly larger at 8.4 millimetres. The absolute maximum size for this fish is ten millimetres. One specimen weighed only 0.7 milligrams. Its thin form resembles other closely related fishes in the genus.

Where it lives

This fish is native to specific locations in Australian waters. It inhabits the Great Barrier Reef. It is also found at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. These tropical marine environments provide the habitat for this tiny vertebrate. The species remains confined to these reef systems in the region.

How it lives

Information regarding its daily behaviour, diet, and predators is not detailed in the provided records. Like most gobies, it is likely small and elusive. Its diminutive size suggests it occupies a specific niche within the reef ecosystem. It lives alongside other small marine organisms in these warm waters.

Breeding and life cycle

Specific details on spawning seasons or egg development are not provided. The mention of a gravid female indicates internal egg carrying before release. The species reproduces within its restricted reef habitat.

Fish and people

The stout infantfish holds interest for scientific research due to its size. It previously held the title of the smallest known vertebrate. This record was surpassed by a frog species in 2012. It is not a target for food or aquarium trade. Its primary value lies in biological study and comparative anatomy.

Status and threats

Conservation status is not assessed in the provided material. The limited range on specific reefs may imply vulnerability, but no formal classification is given.

Questions people ask about Stout infantfish

How big does the stout infantfish get?

The maximum standard length is ten millimetres. Males average 7.7 millimetres, while a recorded gravid female was 8.4 millimetres long. It is one of the smallest fish in the world.

Where can you find this fish?

It is native to Australia. Specifically, it lives in the Great Barrier Reef and at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. It is a marine species found in these tropical waters.

Is it still the smallest vertebrate?

No. It formerly held the record for the smallest known vertebrate. However, the frog Paedophryne amauensis, described in 2012, is now considered smaller by snout-to-vent length measurements.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Schindleria brevipinguis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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