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Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) — Gobiidae

Masago snubnose goby

Pseudogobius masago
Family: Gobiidae

The Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Brackish estuaries and mangroves of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Pseudogobius masago is an extremely small goby of the family Gobiidae from brackish coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The species reaches only about 2 cm and has a stocky body with a blunt snout. It inhabits tidal estuaries, river mouths, mud flats and mangroves, where it stays on the muddy bottom. As a bottom dweller it feeds on detritus and small invertebrates. Owing to its minute size the species has no fishery value and is mainly of interest for the biodiversity of mangrove and estuary habitats. Reproduction takes place locally around May and August.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Masago snubnose goby?

The Masago snubnose goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Extremely small goby (~2 cm) with a blunt snout; inhabitant of muddy estuaries.

Where does the Masago snubnose goby live?

The Masago snubnose goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Brackish estuaries and mangroves of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific.

How big does the Masago snubnose goby get?

The Masago snubnose goby grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Masago snubnose goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Masago snubnose 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.

Is the Masago snubnose goby edible?

The Masago snubnose goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) — Gobiidae — 4
kusa-to-uo (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Masago snubnose goby (Pseudogobius masago) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Masago snubnose goby verified
Scientific name
Pseudogobius masago
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Brackish estuaries and mangroves of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Extremely small goby (~2 cm) with a blunt snout; inhabitant of muddy estuaries. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Pseudogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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