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Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) — Gobiidae

Lance tentacle goby

Oxyurichthys lonchotus
Family: Gobiidae

The Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–4.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Hawaii

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Description

The Lance 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 Lance tentacle goby?

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

Where does the Lance tentacle goby live?

The Lance tentacle goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Hawaii

How big does the Lance tentacle goby get?

The Lance tentacle goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Lance tentacle goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Lance 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

Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) — Gobiidae — 2
R. Bills (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) bananyasan_0728, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lance tentacle goby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lance tentacle goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys lonchotus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Speartail mudgoby sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.7 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)
4.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, 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

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