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Chinese lizard gudgeon (Saurogobio dabryi) — Cyprinidae

Chinese lizard gudgeon

Saurogobio dabryi
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Chinese lizard gudgeon (Saurogobio dabryi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27.3 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia; bottoms of rivers and lakes.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The longnose gudgeon is a cyprinid (Gobionidae) from East Asia. The species has an elongate, spindle-shaped body with a long, pointed snout, an inferior mouth with a pair of short barbels and a row of dark spots along the lateral line. Adults inhabit the bottom of rivers and lakes. On the bottom it searches for small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus. It is a small local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chinese lizard gudgeon?

The Chinese lizard gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Long, pointed snout and inferior mouth with short barbels; bottom fish of rivers and lakes.

Where does the Chinese lizard gudgeon live?

The Chinese lizard gudgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia; bottoms of rivers and lakes.

How big does the Chinese lizard gudgeon get?

The Chinese lizard gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 27 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Chinese lizard gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Chinese lizard gudgeon is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Chinese lizard gudgeon edible?

Yes, the Chinese lizard gudgeon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Chinese lizard gudgeon (Saurogobio dabryi) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) pcmyb, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chinese lizard gudgeon (Saurogobio dabryi) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kieun_kim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Chinese lizard gudgeon verified
Scientific name
Saurogobio dabryi
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Chinese lizard gudgeon; Lizard gudgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.3 verified
Average length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia; bottoms of rivers and lakes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long, pointed snout and inferior mouth with short barbels; bottom fish of rivers and lakes. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Saurogobio

More from the family Cyprinidae

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