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Freshwater goby (Awaous aeneofuscus) — Gobiidae

Freshwater goby

Awaous aeneofuscus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Freshwater goby (Awaous aeneofuscus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The African river goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the fresh and brackish waters of Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, sand-coloured body with a marbled pattern and, like other gobies, fused pelvic fins forming a sucking disc with which it can hold onto the bottom. It inhabits rivers and estuaries, including fairly fast-flowing water, and is sometimes abundant in lagoons. On the bottom it forages on small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater goby?

The Freshwater goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Freshwater goby live?

The Freshwater goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Freshwater goby get?

The Freshwater goby grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Freshwater goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater goby edible?

The Freshwater goby is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse riviergrondel sourced
English name
Freshwater goby verified
Scientific name
Awaous aeneofuscus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Freshwater goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Awaous

More from the family Gobiidae

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