Home · Gobiidae · Flat-headed goby
Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) — Gobiidae

Flat-headed goby

Luciogobius guttatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The flat-headed goby is a remarkable goby (Gobiidae) from East Asia. The species has an elongate, nearly scaleless, eel-shaped body with a flattened head and strongly reduced fins. It inhabits tide pools and river mouths and is often found where small brooks fall into the sea; it lives hidden under stones and in gravel. On the bottom it searches for small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flat-headed goby?

The Flat-headed goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Flat-headed goby live?

The Flat-headed goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flat-headed goby get?

The Flat-headed goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Flat-headed goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Flat-headed goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Flat-headed goby edible?

The Flat-headed goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Aalgrondel sourced
English name
Flat-headed goby verified
Scientific name
Luciogobius guttatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Flat-headed goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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