Fin's Fish Guide
The Butterfly goby (Amblygobius albimaculatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.
Description
The butterfly goby is a goby of the family Gobiidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate body with fine stripes and rows of white and dark spots. It is a bottom dweller of shallow coastal waters and enters estuaries and lagoons, where it usually hovers in pairs just above the sand bottom. As a bottom searcher it takes mouthfuls of sand from which it sifts small invertebrates, algae and detritus. Gobies cling to the substrate with their fused pelvic fins. When disturbed the species darts into a self-dug burrow. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Butterfly goby?
The Butterfly goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Sifts sand in search of food and darts into a self-dug burrow when threatened.
Where does the Butterfly goby live?
The Butterfly goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons.
How big does the Butterfly goby get?
The Butterfly goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.
Is the Butterfly goby dangerous to humans?
No, the Butterfly goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Butterfly goby edible?
The Butterfly goby is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Amblygobius
More from the family Gobiidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Butterfly goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.