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Barecheek goby (Gnatholepis gymnocara) — Gobiidae

Barecheek goby

Gnatholepis gymnocara
Family: Gobiidae

The Barecheek goby (Gnatholepis gymnocara) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The barecheek goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, pale, sandy body with fine spots, a dark bar below the eye and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barecheek goby?

The Barecheek goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Barecheek goby live?

The Barecheek goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Barecheek goby get?

The Barecheek goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Barecheek goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Barecheek goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Naaktwang-zandgrondel sourced
English name
Barecheek goby sourced
Scientific name
Gnatholepis gymnocara
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Nakedcheek sandgoby sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gnatholepis

More from the family Gobiidae

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