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Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) — Gobiidae

Scalynape goby

Oxyurichthys auchenolepis
Family: Gobiidae

The Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and others

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Description

The Scalynape 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 Scalynape goby?

The Scalynape goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Scalynape goby live?

The Scalynape goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and others

How big does the Scalynape goby get?

The Scalynape goby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Scalynape goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Scalynape 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

Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) ayegege, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gomen See, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scalynape goby (Oxyurichthys auchenolepis) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gomen See, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Scalynape goby sourced
Scientific name
Oxyurichthys auchenolepis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Scaly-nape tentacle goby sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines 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 Oxyurichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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