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Dog-toothed goby (Acentrogobius caninus) — Gobiidae

Dog-toothed goby

Acentrogobius caninus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dog-toothed goby (Acentrogobius caninus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.3 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The tropical sand goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate body with a few dark blotches along the flank and a fairly large mouth. It occurs along coastlines and in estuaries and harbours, usually in brackish tidal water on sand and silt bottoms. Bottom-bound, it feeds on small invertebrates and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dog-toothed goby?

The Dog-toothed goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Dog-toothed goby live?

The Dog-toothed goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dog-toothed goby get?

The Dog-toothed goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Dog-toothed goby dangerous to humans?

The Dog-toothed goby is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Dog-toothed goby edible?

The Dog-toothed goby is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tropische zandgrondel sourced
English name
Dog-toothed goby verified
Scientific name
Acentrogobius caninus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Dog-toothed goby; Spotted green goby; Tropical sand goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acentrogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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