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Goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata) — Eleotridae

Goby

Oxyeleotris marmorata
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The marbled sleeper is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) from Southeast Asia. The species has a robust, stocky body with a large head and a marbled brown pattern, and at about 50 cm is the largest sleeper goby. It inhabits rivers, swamps, reservoirs and canals and enters flooded forest. As a slow ambush hunter it takes small fishes, shrimps and aquatic insects. It is a valued, high-priced food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goby?

The Goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Goby live?

The Goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Goby get?

The Goby grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Goby edible?

Yes, the Goby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Marmer-slaapgrondel sourced
English name
Goby verified
Scientific name
Oxyeleotris marmorata
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Marble goby; Marble sleeper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Oxyeleotris

More from the family Eleotridae

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