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Goby Flathead (Bembrops gobioides) — Percophidae

Goby Flathead

Bembrops gobioides
Family: Percophidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goby Flathead (Bembrops gobioides) is a saltwater fish of the family Percophidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–724.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The goby flathead is a deepwater fish of the duckbill family (Percophidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate body with a flattened head, a duckbill-like snout and large eyes, adapted to life on the bottom in deeper water. It occurs on the continental shelf and sometimes enters shallower water. As a bottom predator it lies partly buried and ambushes small fishes and invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goby Flathead?

The Goby Flathead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Flattened head with a duckbill-like snout and large eyes; bottom hunter of deeper water.

Where does the Goby Flathead live?

The Goby Flathead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf.

How big does the Goby Flathead get?

The Goby Flathead grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Goby Flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Goby Flathead is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Goby Flathead edible?

The Goby Flathead is not usually eaten.

More photos

Goby Flathead (Bembrops gobioides) — Percophidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Bill Mac Eachern, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goby Flathead (Bembrops gobioides) — Percophidae — 3
Bill Mac Eachern (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Goby Flathead verified
Scientific name
Bembrops gobioides
Family
Percophidae
Other names
Goby flathead verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
724.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Flattened head with a duckbill-like snout and large eyes; bottom hunter of deeper water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bembrops

More from the family Percophidae

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