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Hancock's goby (Gobulus hancocki) — Gobiidae

Hancock's goby

Gobulus hancocki
Family: Gobiidae

The Hancock's goby (Gobulus hancocki) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and others

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Description

The Hancock's goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine or reef water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits on sand, mud or rock by weed, roots or a burrow and snaps at small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hancock's goby?

The Hancock's goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Hancock's goby live?

The Hancock's goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and others

How big does the Hancock's goby get?

The Hancock's goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Hancock's goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Hancock's goby 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Hancock's goby sourced
Scientific name
Gobulus hancocki
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Sandtop goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
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. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gobulus

More from the family Gobiidae

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