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Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae

Throatspine gudgeon

Belobranchus belobranchus
Family: Eleotridae

The Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The throatspine gudgeon is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) from fresh and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, dark-brown body with a large mouth and a small spine on the throat. It lives in lower river reaches and estuaries; the larvae migrate to sea and return as juveniles. As a bottom-oriented predator it hunts small crustaceans, insects and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Throatspine gudgeon?

The Throatspine gudgeon has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Throatspine gudgeon live?

The Throatspine gudgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Throatspine gudgeon get?

The Throatspine gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Throatspine gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Throatspine gudgeon is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Keelstekel-sluipgrondel sourced
English name
Throatspine gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Belobranchus belobranchus
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Throat-spine gudgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Eleotridae

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