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Nineline goby (Ginsburgellus novemlineatus) — Gobiidae

Nineline goby

Ginsburgellus novemlineatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Nineline goby (Ginsburgellus novemlineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The nineline goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is very small and dark with a series of pale, bluish crossbars. It lives in shallow, clear waters with coral formations and often keeps in close association with black sea urchins, sheltering among their spines. It feeds mainly on the tube feet of the black sea urchin it shelters under. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nineline goby?

The Nineline goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Nineline goby live?

The Nineline goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Nineline goby get?

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

Is the Nineline goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Nineline goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Nineline goby edible?

The Nineline goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Negenlijn-grondel sourced
English name
Nineline goby verified
Scientific name
Ginsburgellus novemlineatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Nineline goby; Ninelined goby; Ninelined Goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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