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Spotfin goby (Oxyurichthys stigmalophius) — Gobiidae

Spotfin goby

Oxyurichthys stigmalophius
Family: Gobiidae

The Spotfin goby (Oxyurichthys stigmalophius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Spotfin goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, sandy body with fine spots, sometimes a skin crest on the nape and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates, algae and detritus; it often lives by a burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin goby?

The Spotfin goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotfin goby live?

The Spotfin goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotfin goby get?

The Spotfin goby grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Spotfin goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotfin goby edible?

Yes, the Spotfin goby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekvin-maanstaart-grondel sourced
English name
Spotfin goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys stigmalophius
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spotfin Goby; Spotfin goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Oxyurichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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