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Sumatra eel goby (Trypauchenichthys sumatrensis) — Gobiidae

Sumatra eel goby

Trypauchenichthys sumatrensis
Family: Gobiidae

The Sumatra eel goby (Trypauchenichthys sumatrensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sumatra eel goby is an eel goby (Gobiidae) from turbid mud and mangrove shores of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, pink to reddish body with very small, barely functional eyes and a long, continuous dorsal and anal fin. As a bottom-dweller it digs burrows in soft mud and snaps at small invertebrates, detritus and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sumatra eel goby?

The Sumatra eel goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Sumatra eel goby live?

The Sumatra eel goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sumatra eel goby get?

The Sumatra eel goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sumatra eel goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Sumatra eel goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sumatra-paling-grondel sourced
English name
Sumatra eel goby sourced
Scientific name
Trypauchenichthys sumatrensis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Indonesian eelgoby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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