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Bumblebee goby (Brachygobius xanthozonus) — Gobiidae

Bumblebee goby

Brachygobius xanthozonus
Family: Gobiidae

The Bumblebee goby (Brachygobius xanthozonus) is a fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bumblebee goby is a very small goby from fresh and brackish water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky body with striking, alternating yellow and black crossbars, like a bumblebee. As a bottom-dweller it lives in mangroves, estuaries and slow-flowing waters among roots and plants and hunts small crustaceans, worms and insect larvae. It is territorial. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bumblebee goby?

The Bumblebee goby is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Bumblebee goby live?

The Bumblebee goby is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bumblebee goby get?

The Bumblebee goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the Bumblebee goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Bumblebee goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Bumblebee goby edible?

The Bumblebee goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hommelgrondel sourced
English name
Bumblebee goby sourced
Scientific name
Brachygobius xanthozonus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
3.8 verified
Average length (cm)
2.3 sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brachygobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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