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Small goby (Evorthodus minutus) — Gobiidae

Small goby

Evorthodus minutus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Small goby (Evorthodus minutus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; estuaries, mangroves and shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The dwarf goby is a tiny goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a stocky, pale mottled body with a blunt head. It inhabits muddy and sandy bottoms of estuaries, mangroves and shallow coastal waters, often with low to variable salinity. As a small bottom dweller it feeds on detritus, small invertebrates and algae taken from the bottom with its mouth. Gobies cling to the substrate with their fused pelvic fins. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Small goby?

The Small goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Tiny, pale marbled goby of muddy estuaries and mangroves.

Where does the Small goby live?

The Small goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; estuaries, mangroves and shallow coastal waters.

How big does the Small goby get?

The Small goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Small goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Small goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Small goby edible?

The Small goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Small goby verified
Scientific name
Evorthodus minutus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
4 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; estuaries, mangroves and shallow coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, small invertebrates and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Tiny, pale marbled goby of muddy estuaries and mangroves. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Evorthodus

More from the family Gobiidae

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