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Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) — Gobiidae

Bluespot goby

Pseudogobius olorum
Family: Gobiidae

The Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The bluespot goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from estuaries, tidal creeks and brackish pools of southern Australia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a tolerant bottom-dweller of variable-salinity water it sits on sand and mud by roots and weeds and snaps at small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespot goby?

The Bluespot goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bluespot goby live?

The Bluespot goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Bluespot goby get?

The Bluespot goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Bluespot goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluespot goby 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.

More photos

Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Asimakis Patitsas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Matt Tank, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespot goby (Pseudogobius olorum) — Gobiidae — 5
Robert Browne-Cooper (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — Atlas of Living Australia
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluespot goby sourced
Scientific name
Pseudogobius olorum
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Blue-spot goby; Southern goby; Swan river goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Pseudogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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