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Black rockpool goby (Mauligobius nigri) — Gobiidae

Black rockpool goby

Mauligobius nigri
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black rockpool goby (Mauligobius nigri) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
2–4 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The black rockpool goby is a goby from the eastern Atlantic, ranging from Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea and the offshore islands, possibly restricted to the Cape Verde Islands. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a dark body with a row of small spots along the midline and two dorsal fins with white speckles. It lives as a bottom-dweller in the intertidal zone among rocks and lava pebbles in areas of strong wave action. The fish feeds on small invertebrates and is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black rockpool goby?

The Black rockpool goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Black rockpool goby live?

The Black rockpool goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Black rockpool goby get?

The Black rockpool goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Black rockpool goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Black rockpool goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Black rockpool goby edible?

The Black rockpool goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte rotsgrondel verified
English name
Black rockpool goby verified
Scientific name
Mauligobius nigri
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2 sourced
Max depth (m)
4 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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

Same genus Mauligobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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