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Kribia (Kribia kribensis) — Eleotridae

Kribia

Kribia kribensis
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Kribia (Kribia kribensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fresh water of West and Central Africa, in slow-moving, densely vegetated water of creeks and swamps.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The kribia is a small, stocky fish of the family Eleotridae (sleeper gobies) reaching about 5 cm. Unlike true gobies the pelvic fins are not fused into a sucker but separate. The brown body bears a blotched pattern; breeding males are more boldly marked. The species comes from West and Central Africa and lives among plants and bottom material of slow, densely vegetated water of creeks and swamps. As a small ambush predator it searches, mainly at night, for insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The male guards the eggs laid in a crevice. For its size and behaviour it is popular in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kribia?

The Kribia has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small, stocky sleeper goby with separate pelvic fins (no sucker as in true gobies) and a blotched, brown body.

Where does the Kribia live?

The Kribia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Fresh water of West and Central Africa, in slow-moving, densely vegetated water of creeks and swamps.

How big does the Kribia get?

The Kribia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Kribia dangerous to humans?

No, the Kribia is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Kribia edible?

The Kribia is not usually eaten.

More photos

Kribia (Kribia kribensis) — Eleotridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kribia (Kribia kribensis) — Eleotridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kribia (Kribia kribensis) — Eleotridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Kribia verified
Scientific name
Kribia kribensis
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Natural range
Fresh water of West and Central Africa, in slow-moving, densely vegetated water of creeks and swamps. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
Seasonality
Resident bottom-dweller; the male guards the eggs laid in a cavity. sourced
Special features
Small, stocky sleeper goby with separate pelvic fins (no sucker as in true gobies) and a blotched, brown body. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Kribia

More from the family Eleotridae

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