Home · Gobiidae · Blackeye goby
Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae

Blackeye goby

Rhinogobiops nicholsii
Family: Gobiidae

The Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–106.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blackeye goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, pale, sand-coloured body with conspicuously black-rimmed eyes and a blue spot on the first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and reef bottoms of rocky shores and kelp beds and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackeye goby?

The Blackeye goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blackeye goby live?

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

How big does the Blackeye goby get?

The Blackeye goby grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blackeye goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackeye goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackeye goby edible?

Yes, the Blackeye goby is commonly 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
Zwartoog-grondel sourced
English name
Blackeye goby sourced
Scientific name
Rhinogobiops nicholsii
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Blackeye goby; Bluespot goby; Crested goby; Large-scaled goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

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 →