Home · Gobiidae · Roughtail goby
Roughtail goby (Evermannichthys metzelaari) — Gobiidae

Roughtail goby

Evermannichthys metzelaari
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Roughtail goby (Evermannichthys metzelaari) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sponge goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has a strongly elongate, nearly naked body, an adaptation to life in the narrow canals of sponges. It is an obligate sponge dweller and lives deep within the incurrent canals, near the openings. There it feeds on small zooplankton and organic matter that enters with the water current. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughtail goby?

The Roughtail goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Roughtail goby live?

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

How big does the Roughtail goby get?

The Roughtail goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Roughtail goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Roughtail goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Roughtail goby edible?

The Roughtail goby is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spons-grondel sourced
English name
Roughtail goby verified
Scientific name
Evermannichthys metzelaari
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Sponge goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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

Same genus Evermannichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →