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Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) — Eleotridae

Cran's bully

Gobiomorphus basalis
Family: Eleotridae

The Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

Cran's bully is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) endemic to fresh water of the North Island of New Zealand. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, brown-speckled body with a fairly large mouth. Unlike many relatives it has no sea-going larval stage and lives its whole life in streams and rivers. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cran's bully?

The Cran's bully has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Cran's bully live?

The Cran's bully lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Cran's bully get?

The Cran's bully grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Cran's bully dangerous to humans?

No, the Cran's bully 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

Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) — Eleotridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) serenas17, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) — Eleotridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Aibhlín, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) — Eleotridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Shaun Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis) — Eleotridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Josh Campbell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cran's bully sourced
Scientific name
Gobiomorphus basalis
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Maui's bully; Tarndale bully; Tarndale Bully verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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 Gobiomorphus

More from the family Eleotridae

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