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Scalyhead goby (Hazeus otakii) — Gobiidae

Scalyhead goby

Hazeus otakii
Family: Gobiidae

The Scalyhead goby (Hazeus otakii) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines

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Description

The scalyhead goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, pale-brown body with fine spots and a partly scaled head. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and estuaries and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scalyhead goby?

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

Where does the Scalyhead goby live?

The Scalyhead goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines

How big does the Scalyhead goby get?

The Scalyhead goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Scalyhead goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Scalyhead 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
Scalyhead goby sourced
Scientific name
Hazeus otakii
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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