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Roundscale goby (Microgobius cyclolepis) — Gobiidae

Roundscale goby

Microgobius cyclolepis
Family: Gobiidae

The Roundscale goby (Microgobius cyclolepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and others

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Description

The roundscale goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, pale body with large, round scales and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits on sand and mud by a burrow and snaps at small invertebrates, worms and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roundscale goby?

The Roundscale goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Roundscale goby live?

The Roundscale goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and others

How big does the Roundscale goby get?

The Roundscale goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Roundscale goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Roundscale 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Roundscale goby sourced
Scientific name
Microgobius cyclolepis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Roundscale goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua 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 Microgobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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