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Heise's tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys heisei) — Gobiidae

Heise's tentacle goby

Oxyurichthys heisei
Family: Gobiidae

The Heise's tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys heisei) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
119.0–143.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Hawaii

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Description

The Heise's tentacle goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, sandy body with fine spots, sometimes a skin crest on the nape and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates, algae and detritus; it often lives by a burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Heise's tentacle goby?

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

Where does the Heise's tentacle goby live?

The Heise's tentacle goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Hawaii

How big does the Heise's tentacle goby get?

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

Is the Heise's tentacle goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Heise's tentacle 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.

More photos

Heise's tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys heisei) — Gobiidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Heise's tentacle goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys heisei
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Ribbon goby sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 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)
119.0 verified
Max depth (m)
143.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Hawaii 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 Oxyurichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

Fin

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