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Striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) — Gobiidae

Striped sandgoby

Acentrogobius pflaumii
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate and subtropical coastal waters of the northwest Pacific: Japan, Korea and China, in estuaries and shallow coastal water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) is a small goby of the family Gobiidae from the coastal waters of Japan, Korea and China. It reaches about 8-10 cm and has two separate dorsal fins and a brownish body with rows of dark blotches along the flank. It lives on sand and mud bottoms in estuaries and shallow coastal water, feeding on small crustaceans, worms and other bottom life. The species has spread to southeastern Australia via ballast water, where it is regarded as invasive. It is harmless and not eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped sandgoby?

The Striped sandgoby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small goby with two separate dorsal fins and rows of dark blotches along the flank; outside its natural range it is regarded as an invasive species.

Where does the Striped sandgoby live?

The Striped sandgoby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Temperate and subtropical coastal waters of the northwest Pacific: Japan, Korea and China, in estuaries and shallow coastal water.

How big does the Striped sandgoby get?

The Striped sandgoby grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Striped sandgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped sandgoby 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 Striped sandgoby edible?

The Striped sandgoby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) lcolmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Striped sandgoby (Acentrogobius pflaumii) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) mikekammermann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Striped sandgoby verified
Scientific name
Acentrogobius pflaumii
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 sourced
Natural range
Temperate and subtropical coastal waters of the northwest Pacific: Japan, Korea and China, in estuaries and shallow coastal water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and other bottom life sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Spawns in the warm months; eggs are laid on the bottom and guarded. inferred
Special features
Small goby with two separate dorsal fins and rows of dark blotches along the flank; outside its natural range it is regarded as an invasive species. 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 Acentrogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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