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Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) — Gobiidae

Redspotted goby

Gobius rubropunctatus
Family: Gobiidae

The Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory coast, Liberia, Mauritania and others

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Description

The redspotted goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal waters of the Mediterranean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with fine red-brown spots and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a shy bottom-dweller it shelters among stones, in crevices and small holes of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redspotted goby?

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

Where does the Redspotted goby live?

The Redspotted goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory coast, Liberia, Mauritania and others

How big does the Redspotted goby get?

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

Is the Redspotted goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Redspotted goby is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redspotted goby (Gobius rubropunctatus) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Redspotted goby sourced
Scientific name
Gobius rubropunctatus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory coast, Liberia, Mauritania and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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