Home · Gobiidae · Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby
Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby (Favonigobius reichei) — Gobiidae

Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby

Favonigobius reichei
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby (Favonigobius reichei) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.3 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The tropical sand goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 8 cm and has a slender, sand-coloured body with a mottled pattern that camouflages it excellently on sand and mud bottoms. It usually occurs in small groups in the intertidal zone, often in weedy areas, and also in mangroves, estuaries, lagoons and rivers. The species is euryhaline and tolerates fresh, brackish and salt water. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Owing to its inconspicuous habits it is little noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby?

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby live?

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby get?

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby edible?

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tropische zandgrondel sourced
English name
Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby verified
Scientific name
Favonigobius reichei
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Tropical sand goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.3 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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 Favonigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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