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Stone-biting goby (Sicydium brevifile) — Gobiidae

Stone-biting goby

Sicydium brevifile
Family: Gobiidae

The Stone-biting goby (Sicydium brevifile) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Gabon, Ivory coast, Nigeria, Sao Tome Princ.

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Description

The stone-biting goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from fast-flowing freshwater streams of islands and coasts of the tropical Atlantic. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, brown-grey body with fused pelvic fins forming a strong sucker, with which it climbs over stones and even waterfalls. With a ring-shaped mouth it rasps algal film from rocks. The larvae migrate to sea and return as juveniles into the river. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stone-biting goby?

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

Where does the Stone-biting goby live?

The Stone-biting goby lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Gabon, Ivory coast, Nigeria, Sao Tome Princ.

How big does the Stone-biting goby get?

The Stone-biting goby grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Stone-biting goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Stone-biting 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
Stone-biting goby sourced
Scientific name
Sicydium brevifile
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Cameroon, Eq Guinea, Gabon, Ivory coast, Nigeria, Sao Tome Princ. 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 Sicydium

More from the family Gobiidae

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