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Notchtongue goby (Bathygobius curacao) — Gobiidae

Notchtongue goby

Bathygobius curacao
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Notchtongue goby (Bathygobius curacao) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The notchtongue goby is a small goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil. The species has an elongate, brown mottled body reaching about 7.5 cm, with two dorsal fins. It inhabits tide pools and shallow coastal waters, including mangrove areas with muddy bottoms around the roots and sheltered seagrass beds. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Like many gobies the male guards the clutch in a nook. Because of its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Notchtongue goby?

The Notchtongue goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Inhabitant of tide pools, mangroves and seagrass beds; the male guards the clutch.

Where does the Notchtongue goby live?

The Notchtongue goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil.

How big does the Notchtongue goby get?

The Notchtongue goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Notchtongue goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Notchtongue goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Notchtongue goby edible?

The Notchtongue goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Notchtongue goby (Bathygobius curacao) — Gobiidae — 2
Smith, David G. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Notchtongue goby (Bathygobius curacao) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Drew, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Notchtongue goby verified
Scientific name
Bathygobius curacao
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Notchtongue Goby; Notchtongue goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Inhabitant of tide pools, mangroves and seagrass beds; the male guards the clutch. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bathygobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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