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Goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus) — Gobiidae

Goby

Sufflogobius bibarbatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–340.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Benguela upwelling area off south-western Africa; bottom-dwelling.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The pelagic goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the Benguela upwelling region off southwestern Africa. The species is small and has a stocky body with a large head and a pair of short chin barbels. It is bottom-dwelling: adults lie dispersed on the oxygen-poor seabed by day and migrate upward to more oxygenated water at night, while younger fish form shoals in midwater. It feeds on zooplankton. It is an important link in the food web and prey for seabirds, seals and larger fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goby?

The Goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Bottom-dwelling goby that lies on the oxygen-poor seabed during the day and rises at night; key prey in the Benguela food web.

Where does the Goby live?

The Goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Benguela upwelling area off south-western Africa; bottom-dwelling.

How big does the Goby get?

The Goby grows to a maximum of about 17 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 rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Goby verified
Scientific name
Sufflogobius bibarbatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Pelagic goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
340.0 verified
Natural range
Benguela upwelling area off south-western Africa; bottom-dwelling. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Generalist: zooplankton and benthic invertebrates (larger animals eat more bottom prey) sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
7.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bottom-dwelling goby that lies on the oxygen-poor seabed during the day and rises at night; key prey in the Benguela food web. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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