Home · Gobiidae · Saru goby
Saru goby (Oxyurichthys saru) — Gobiidae

Saru goby

Oxyurichthys saru
Family: Gobiidae

The Saru goby (Oxyurichthys saru) is a fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Want the complete picture on the Saru goby?

Get the app

Description

The Saru goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender body with pelvic fins fused into a sucker with which it holds onto the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it digs or occupies burrows in soft sediment and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Saru goby?

The Saru goby is mainly brown.

Where does the Saru goby live?

The Saru goby is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Saru goby get?

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

Is the Saru goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Saru 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saru goby?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saru goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Saru goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys saru
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Scaly-nape tentacle goby

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
10 inferred
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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

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 Oxyurichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saru goby?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saru goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Saru goby? Get the app