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Spear goby (Callogobius hastatus) — Gobiidae

Spear goby

Callogobius hastatus
Family: Gobiidae

The Spear goby (Callogobius hastatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Viet Nam

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Description

The Spear goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, brown-marbled body with skin flaps or ridges on the head and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, stones and crevices and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spear goby?

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

Where does the Spear goby live?

The Spear goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Japan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Viet Nam

How big does the Spear goby get?

The Spear goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spear goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spear 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
Spear goby sourced
Scientific name
Callogobius hastatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spearfin goby sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Viet Nam 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 Callogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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