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Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) — Gobiidae

Amur goby

Rhinogobius similis
Family: Gobiidae
NativeIntroduced

The Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia, in Japan, Korea and China.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Amur goby is a small freshwater goby (Gobiidae) from East Asia, occurring in Japan, Korea and China. The species reaches about 10 cm and has an elongate, brown mottled body; the males bear red markings on the cheeks. It inhabits rivers, streams and their lower courses and is amphidromous: the larvae drift to brackish or salt water and the juveniles return to fresh water. The diet consists of small invertebrates and insect larvae from the bottom. Owing to its small size the species has no market value, but it is a common inhabitant of East Asian streams.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amur goby?

The Amur goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small amphidromous freshwater goby; males with red markings on the cheeks.

Where does the Amur goby live?

The Amur goby lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia, in Japan, Korea and China.

How big does the Amur goby get?

The Amur goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Amur goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Amur goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Amur goby edible?

The Amur goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) 弘扬, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) — Gobiidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Yung-Lun Lin (CC BY 4.0)
Amur goby (Rhinogobius similis) — Gobiidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Yung-Lun Lin (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Amur goby verified
Scientific name
Rhinogobius similis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Amur goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia, in Japan, Korea and China. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small amphidromous freshwater goby; males with red markings on the cheeks. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rhinogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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