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Delta goby (Gobionellus occidentalis) — Gobiidae

Delta goby

Gobionellus occidentalis
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Delta goby (Gobionellus occidentalis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

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

Description

The Pacific dash goby is a goby of the family Gobiidae from the eastern Atlantic off West Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an elongate, pale body with a blotch on the flank. It occurs inshore over sand bottoms and in estuaries, and is essentially a marine species that enters brackish water; it often stays in a dug burrow on soft 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 Delta goby?

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

Where does the Delta goby live?

The Delta goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Delta goby get?

The Delta goby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Delta goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Delta goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Delta goby edible?

The Delta goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
West-Afrikaanse estuariumgrondel sourced
English name
Delta goby verified
Scientific name
Gobionellus occidentalis
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.3 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
Euryhaline 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
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

Same genus Gobionellus

More from the family Gobiidae

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