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Mural goby (Valenciennea muralis) — Gobiidae

Mural goby

Valenciennea muralis
Family: Gobiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Mural goby (Valenciennea muralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The mural goby is a sand goby from the Western Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has an elongate, pale body with fine blue and orange lines on the head and flanks. It lives on sand and rubble bottoms of lagoons and reefs, where pairs dig and guard burrows. By taking mouthfuls of sand it sifts out small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mural goby?

The Mural goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Digs and guards burrows in pairs; sifts sand for invertebrates

Where does the Mural goby live?

The Mural goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific

How big does the Mural goby get?

The Mural goby grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Mural goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Mural 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 Mural goby edible?

The Mural goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mural goby verified
Scientific name
Valenciennea muralis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Lined gudgeon; Mural glider goby; Mural glidergoby; Mural goby; Striped goby; Goby; Mural sleeper-goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sand inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
0.75 verified
Seasonality
Burrow-digging sand goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Digs and guards burrows in pairs; sifts sand for invertebrates sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Valenciennea

More from the family Gobiidae

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