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Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) — Gobiidae

Abe's mangrove goby

Mugilogobius abei
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.1 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia, on sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries and coastal streams near the river mouth.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Mugilogobius abei is a very small goby (family Gobiidae) of East Asia. The species reaches only about 4 cm and has an elongate, brownish body with a mottled pattern. It inhabits sand and mud bottoms of estuaries and coastal streams not far from the river mouth and is probably tolerant of fresh water. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. Because of its small size the species is of no fishery value and is harmless to humans. Little is known in detail about its reproduction and lifespan.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Abe's mangrove goby?

The Abe's mangrove goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Very small estuarine goby; probably well able to tolerate fresh water.

Where does the Abe's mangrove goby live?

The Abe's mangrove goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. East Asia, on sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries and coastal streams near the river mouth.

How big does the Abe's mangrove goby get?

The Abe's mangrove goby grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Abe's mangrove goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Abe's mangrove goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Abe's mangrove goby edible?

The Abe's mangrove goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zenning, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) — Gobiidae — 3
myrmecophilic (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) taiwan_habu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Abe's mangrove goby (Mugilogobius abei) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kusa-to-uo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Abe's mangrove goby sourced
Scientific name
Mugilogobius abei
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia, on sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries and coastal streams near the river mouth.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very small estuarine goby; probably well able to tolerate fresh water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mugilogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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