Fin's Fish Guide
The Greenback gauvina (Bunaka gyrinoides) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 34 cm.
Description
The greenback gauvina is a sleeper goby of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from Sri Lanka and Indonesia to the Philippines, New Guinea, Micronesia and Australia. It grows to about 34 cm, but is usually around 15 cm. It has a stocky body with two separate dorsal fins and a large mouth, and is greenish on the back. The fish lives in fresh, brackish and estuarine water, often in forested creeks on mud bottoms and under undercut banks, and is amphidromous: the larvae develop at sea. As a predator it hunts smaller fish and crustaceans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Greenback gauvina?
The Greenback gauvina has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Large mouth and greenish back; amphidromous with a marine larval phase
Where does the Greenback gauvina live?
The Greenback gauvina lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-Pacific
How big does the Greenback gauvina get?
The Greenback gauvina grows to a maximum of about 34 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.
Is the Greenback gauvina dangerous to humans?
No, the Greenback gauvina is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Greenback gauvina edible?
The Greenback gauvina is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Eleotridae
Want the complete picture on the Greenback gauvina?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Greenback gauvina is one of 12,519 species in the app.