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Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) — Gobiidae

Burton's frillfin goby

Bathygobius burtoni
Family: Gobiidae

The Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Ghana, Sao Tome Princ.

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Description

The Burton's frillfin goby is a frillfin goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and tidal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with loose, frill-like upper pectoral rays and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones, coral and in tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Burton's frillfin goby?

The Burton's frillfin goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Burton's frillfin goby live?

The Burton's frillfin goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Ghana, Sao Tome Princ.

How big does the Burton's frillfin goby get?

The Burton's frillfin goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Burton's frillfin goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Burton's frillfin 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

Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Xavier Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Xavier Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burton's frillfin goby (Bathygobius burtoni) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Burton's frillfin goby sourced
Scientific name
Bathygobius burtoni
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Ghana, Sao Tome Princ. 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 Bathygobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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