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Goby (Acentrogobius nebulosus) — Gobiidae

Goby

Acentrogobius nebulosus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goby (Acentrogobius nebulosus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The shadow goby is a goby of the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from East Africa to Micronesia and from China to northern Australia. It grows to about 18 cm and has a pale grey body with three large dark brown blotches on the flank and faint brown scribbling; the second and third dorsal spines are drawn out into filaments. The fish lives solitarily over silty bottoms around inner reefs and is common in mangroves, estuaries and rivers, tolerating salt, brackish and fresh water. Its flesh contains tetrodotoxin and is poisonous to eat. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goby?

The Goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Goby live?

The Goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Goby get?

The Goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Goby dangerous to humans?

The Goby is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Goby edible?

The Goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schaduwgrondel verified
English name
Goby verified
Scientific name
Acentrogobius nebulosus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Hairfin goby; Hair-finned goby; Shadow goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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