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Frogface goby (Oxyurichthys papuensis) — Gobiidae

Frogface goby

Oxyurichthys papuensis
Family: Gobiidae
NativeIntroduced

The Frogface goby (Oxyurichthys papuensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The frogface goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from coastal and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 22 cm and has an elongate, drab-brown body with fine markings, high-set eyes and a small tentacle above each eye. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft mud and sand bottoms of estuaries and mangroves, often in a self-dug burrow, and snaps at small bottom life and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Frogface goby?

The Frogface goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Frogface goby live?

The Frogface goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Frogface goby get?

The Frogface goby grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Frogface goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Frogface 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 Frogface goby edible?

Yes, the Frogface goby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Frogface goby (Oxyurichthys papuensis) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ewout Knoester, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Frogface goby (Oxyurichthys papuensis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Frogface goby (Oxyurichthys papuensis) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Amaury Durbano, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Frogface goby and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Frogface goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys papuensis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Frogface goby; Big mud-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Oxyurichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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