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Spottail Goby (Ctenogobius stigmaturus) — Gobiidae

Spottail Goby

Ctenogobius stigmaturus
Family: Gobiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spottail Goby (Ctenogobius stigmaturus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spottail goby is a small goby from coastal and brackish water of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a light brown body with a conspicuous dark spot at the tail base, to which the name refers. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries and river mouths and feeds on small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottail Goby?

The Spottail Goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Striking dark blotch on the base of the tail

Where does the Spottail Goby live?

The Spottail Goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic

How big does the Spottail Goby get?

The Spottail Goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Spottail Goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottail 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 Spottail Goby edible?

The Spottail Goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spottail Goby verified
Scientific name
Ctenogobius stigmaturus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spottail goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Estuarine bottom goby; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Striking dark blotch on the base of the tail 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
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 Ctenogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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