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Forktongue goby (Chaenogobius annularis) — Gobiidae

Forktongue goby

Chaenogobius annularis
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Forktongue goby (Chaenogobius annularis) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The forktongue goby is a goby from the northwest Pacific, along Japan and Korea. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a slender, chestnut-brown body with fine markings. It lives in shallow coastal water, tide pools and river mouths and also occurs in fresh water. As a bottom-dweller it feeds on small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

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 marbled pattern. Slender chestnut-brown body; inhabitant of tide pools and river mouths

Where does the Forktongue goby live?

The Forktongue goby lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific

How big does the Forktongue goby get?

The Forktongue goby grows to a maximum of about 16 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.

Is the Forktongue goby edible?

The Forktongue goby is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Forktongue goby verified
Scientific name
Chaenogobius annularis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Forktongue goby; Chestnut goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northwest Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Tidal- and estuary-dwelling goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender chestnut-brown body; inhabitant of tide pools and river mouths sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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