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Forktongue goby (Chaenogobius gulosus) — Gobiidae

Forktongue goby

Chaenogobius gulosus
Family: Gobiidae

The Forktongue goby (Chaenogobius gulosus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.7 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Ogasawara Is.

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Description

The forktongue goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from coastal and brackish water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, brown-speckled body with a fairly large mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives in tide pools and estuaries of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Forktongue goby?

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

Where does the Forktongue goby live?

The Forktongue goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Ogasawara Is.

How big does the Forktongue goby get?

The Forktongue goby grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Forktongue goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Forktongue goby 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Forktongue goby sourced
Scientific name
Chaenogobius gulosus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Ogasawara Is. 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 Chaenogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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