Home · Gobiidae · American shadow goby
American shadow goby (Quietula y-cauda) — Gobiidae

American shadow goby

Quietula y-cauda
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The American shadow goby (Quietula y-cauda) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

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

Description

The American shadow goby is a small goby (family Gobiidae) of the eastern Pacific. The species reaches about 7 cm and has an elongate, brown-grey body. It lives on mud flats of lagoons and river mouths and sometimes shelters in worm or shrimp burrows. Its diet consists of small invertebrates and small zooplankton. Reproduction is oviparous; the male guards the eggs, which are attached to the wall of a burrow or shelter. Because of its small size and hidden habits the species is rarely noticed. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the American shadow goby?

The American shadow goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the American shadow goby live?

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

How big does the American shadow goby get?

The American shadow goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the American shadow goby dangerous to humans?

No, the American shadow goby is harmless to humans.

Is the American shadow goby edible?

The American shadow goby is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schaduwgrondel sourced
English name
American shadow goby verified
Scientific name
Quietula y-cauda
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Shadow goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Quietula

More from the family Gobiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →