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Bigmouth gudgeon goby (Gymnogobius macrognathos) — Gobiidae

Bigmouth gudgeon goby

Gymnogobius macrognathos
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigmouth gudgeon goby (Gymnogobius macrognathos) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.7 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia (Japan and Korea), in brackish river mouths, estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bigmouth gudgeon goby is a small goby of the family Gobiidae (gobies) reaching about 16 cm. The stocky, brown, faintly blotched body has a notably large mouth, especially in the male, and, like all true gobies, the pelvic fins fused into a sucker. The species comes from Japan and Korea and lives in brackish river mouths, estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers, where it tolerates strongly varying salinities. On the bottom it searches for small crustaceans, worms and insect larvae. In spring the male guards the eggs laid under a stone or shell. Because of its small size it has no fishery value, but it is a link in the estuarine food web.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigmouth gudgeon goby?

The Bigmouth gudgeon goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small goby with a large mouth (especially in the male) and pelvic fins fused into a sucker; lives in brackish river mouths.

Where does the Bigmouth gudgeon goby live?

The Bigmouth gudgeon goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. East Asia (Japan and Korea), in brackish river mouths, estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers.

How big does the Bigmouth gudgeon goby get?

The Bigmouth gudgeon goby grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Bigmouth gudgeon goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bigmouth gudgeon goby edible?

The Bigmouth gudgeon goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bigmouth gudgeon goby (Gymnogobius macrognathos) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Suzu Sato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigmouth gudgeon goby (Gymnogobius macrognathos) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) r-fujii, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigmouth gudgeon goby (Gymnogobius macrognathos) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) kusa-to-uo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigmouth gudgeon goby verified
Scientific name
Gymnogobius macrognathos
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Natural range
East Asia (Japan and Korea), in brackish river mouths, estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and insect larvae from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
Seasonality
Spawns in spring; the male guards the eggs deposited under a stone or shell. sourced
Special features
Small goby with a large mouth (especially in the male) and pelvic fins fused into a sucker; lives in brackish river mouths. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Gymnogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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