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Scaly boy (Aboma etheostoma) — Gobiidae

Scaly boy

Aboma etheostoma
Family: Gobiidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Scaly boy (Aboma etheostoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The darter goby is a tiny goby of the family Gobiidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to only about 3.5 cm and has a slender, pale mottled body. It inhabits shallow intertidal areas with a sandy or muddy bottom, often in bays and estuaries. As a small bottom dweller it feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Gobies cling to the substrate with their fused pelvic fins. It is a common, widespread species assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern (LC). Owing to its small size it has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scaly boy?

The Scaly boy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Scaly boy live?

The Scaly boy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Scaly boy get?

The Scaly boy grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Scaly boy dangerous to humans?

No, the Scaly boy is harmless to humans.

Is the Scaly boy edible?

The Scaly boy is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Darter-grondel sourced
English name
Scaly boy verified
Scientific name
Aboma etheostoma
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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