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Ragged goby (Bollmannia communis) — Gobiidae

Ragged goby

Bollmannia communis
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ragged goby (Bollmannia communis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; muddy bottoms at 10-120 m.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ragged goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, pale body with a shiny sheen, an extended first dorsal fin and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and mud bottoms of bays and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ragged goby?

The Ragged goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Pale body with a bluish sheen and a dark blotch on the first dorsal fin; inhabitant of muddy bottoms.

Where does the Ragged goby live?

The Ragged goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; muddy bottoms at 10-120 m.

How big does the Ragged goby get?

The Ragged goby grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Ragged goby dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Ragged goby edible?

The Ragged goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Ragged goby sourced
Scientific name
Bollmannia communis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Ragged goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; muddy bottoms at 10-120 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and bottom-dwelling creatures sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Pale body with a bluish sheen and a dark blotch on the first dorsal fin; inhabitant of muddy bottoms. 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 verified
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 Bollmannia

More from the family Gobiidae

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