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Key goby (Drombus key) — Gobiidae

Key goby

Drombus key
Family: Gobiidae

The Key goby (Drombus key) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mozambique, Seychelles

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Description

The Key goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow, often brackish coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits on sand and mud by weed, roots and a burrow and snaps at small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Key goby?

The Key goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Key goby live?

The Key goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Mozambique, Seychelles

How big does the Key goby get?

The Key goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Key goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Key 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
Key goby sourced
Scientific name
Drombus key
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Mozambique, Seychelles 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 Drombus

More from the family Gobiidae

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