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Four-spotted goby (Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus) — Gobiidae

Four-spotted goby

Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Four-spotted goby (Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–333.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The four-spotted goby is a small, slender goby of the family Gobiidae reaching about 10 cm. The sandy-coloured, translucent body bears a row of four dark spots along the flank, from which the species takes its name; like other gobies the pelvic fins are fused into a sucking disc. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, from shallow water to several hundred metres, often deeper than many other gobies. As a bottom-dweller it hunts small crustaceans and worms. The male defends a territory and guards the eggs laid under a shell or stone. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Four-spotted goby?

The Four-spotted goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Four-spotted goby live?

The Four-spotted goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Four-spotted goby get?

The Four-spotted goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Four-spotted goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Four-spotted goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Four-spotted goby edible?

The Four-spotted goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Viervlek-grondel inferred
English name
Four-spotted goby verified
Scientific name
Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Four-spotted goby; Toothed goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
333.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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