Fin's Fish Guide
The Goby (Acentrogobius nebulosus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.
Description
The shadow goby is a goby of the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from East Africa to Micronesia and from China to northern Australia. It grows to about 18 cm and has a pale grey body with three large dark brown blotches on the flank and faint brown scribbling; the second and third dorsal spines are drawn out into filaments. The fish lives solitarily over silty bottoms around inner reefs and is common in mangroves, estuaries and rivers, tolerating salt, brackish and fresh water. Its flesh contains tetrodotoxin and is poisonous to eat. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Goby?
The Goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Contains tetrodotoxin (poisonous to eat); thread-like elongated dorsal fin spines
Where does the Goby live?
The Goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Goby get?
The Goby grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.
Is the Goby dangerous to humans?
The Goby is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not eat: the flesh contains tetrodotoxin. If swallowed, seek medical help immediately; there is no antidote and treatment is supportive (monitor breathing).
Is the Goby edible?
The Goby is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Acentrogobius
More from the family Gobiidae
Want the complete picture on the Goby?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.