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Estuary goby (Gobionellus microdon) — Gobiidae

Estuary goby

Gobionellus microdon
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Estuary goby (Gobionellus microdon) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dash goby is a goby of the family Gobiidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, pale body with a blotch on the flank. It inhabits estuaries and brackish mangrove creeks and has also been recorded from rivers; it stays in a dug burrow on soft mud and sand bottoms. As a bottom searcher it picks detritus, small invertebrates and algae from the bottom. Gobies cling to the substrate with their fused pelvic fins. Owing to its hidden habits it is little noticed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Estuary goby?

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

Where does the Estuary goby live?

The Estuary goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Estuary goby get?

The Estuary goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Estuary goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Estuary goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Estuary goby edible?

The Estuary goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke estuariumgrondel sourced
English name
Estuary goby verified
Scientific name
Gobionellus microdon
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Palmtail goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gobionellus

More from the family Gobiidae

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