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Shadow goby (Amblychaeturichthys sciistius) — Gobiidae

Shadow goby

Amblychaeturichthys sciistius
Family: Gobiidae

The Shadow goby (Amblychaeturichthys sciistius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan, Korea (South)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The shadow goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, grey-brown body with faint dark blotches, barbel-like chin projections and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and mud bottoms of bays and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shadow goby?

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

Where does the Shadow goby live?

The Shadow goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Japan, Korea (South)

How big does the Shadow goby get?

The Shadow goby grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Shadow goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Shadow 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.

Is the Shadow goby edible?

Yes, the Shadow goby is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Shadow goby sourced
Scientific name
Amblychaeturichthys sciistius
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.2 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)
0.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan, Korea (South) 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Amblychaeturichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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