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Goby (Parapocryptes serperaster) — Gobiidae

Goby

Parapocryptes serperaster
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goby (Parapocryptes serperaster) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, in bays, estuaries and intertidal zones.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The eel goby is an elongate goby (Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 23 cm and has a strongly elongate, eel-like body with a continuous fin margin and small eyes. It inhabits bays, estuaries and the freshwater tidal zone, including the Mekong delta, where it digs burrows in the soft mud. As an omnivore it feeds on detritus, algae and small bottom organisms. Through its burrowing, hidden habits the species is little noticed; it is only occasionally marketed in mixed catches.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goby?

The Goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eel-shaped, mud-dwelling goby that digs burrows in estuaries.

Where does the Goby live?

The Goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific, in bays, estuaries and intertidal zones.

How big does the Goby get?

The Goby grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Goby edible?

The Goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Goby (Parapocryptes serperaster) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Goby verified
Scientific name
Parapocryptes serperaster
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, in bays, estuaries and intertidal zones. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and small bottom organisms 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
Eel-shaped, mud-dwelling goby that digs burrows in estuaries. 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 Parapocryptes

More from the family Gobiidae

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