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African fusegoby (Fusigobius neophytus) — Gobiidae

African fusegoby

Fusigobius neophytus
Family: Gobiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The African fusegoby (Fusigobius neophytus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The common fusegoby is a small goby from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a translucent, sand-coloured body with fine spots, well camouflaged on sandy bottoms. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and rubble bottoms of lagoons and reefs, takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the African fusegoby?

The African fusegoby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern. Sand-coloured camouflage; sifts sand for invertebrates

Where does the African fusegoby live?

The African fusegoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific

How big does the African fusegoby get?

The African fusegoby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the African fusegoby dangerous to humans?

No, the African fusegoby is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the African fusegoby edible?

The African fusegoby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
African fusegoby verified
Scientific name
Fusigobius neophytus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Common fusegoby; Fine-spotted sand-goby; Neophyte goby; Neophyte sandgoby; Sand goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White 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
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sand inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Sand-sifting goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Sand-coloured camouflage; sifts sand for invertebrates sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Fusigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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