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Zebra goby (Zebrus zebrus) — Gobiidae

Zebra goby

Zebrus zebrus
Family: Gobiidae

The Zebra goby (Zebrus zebrus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, France, Greece and others

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Description

The zebra goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with a series of narrow dark crossbars and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones, small holes and seagrass of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zebra goby?

The Zebra goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Zebra goby live?

The Zebra goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Europe: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, France, Greece and others

How big does the Zebra goby get?

The Zebra goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Zebra goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Zebra 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.

More photos

Zebra goby (Zebrus zebrus) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Pascal GIRARD, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Zebra goby (Zebrus zebrus) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Zebra goby and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Zebra goby sourced
Scientific name
Zebrus zebrus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Zebra goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Europe: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, France, Greece and others 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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