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Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae

Blackeye goby

Rhinogobiops nicholsii
Family: Gobiidae

The Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–106 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackeye goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, pale, sand-coloured body with conspicuously black-rimmed eyes and a blue spot on the first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and reef bottoms of rocky shores and kelp beds and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackeye goby?

The Blackeye goby has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blackeye goby live?

The Blackeye goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Mexico, USA

How big does the Blackeye goby get?

The Blackeye goby grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blackeye goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackeye 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.

Is the Blackeye goby edible?

Yes, the Blackeye goby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Ed Bierman from CA, usa (CC BY 3.0)
Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Chad King / MBNMS (Public domain)
Blackeye goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Josh Houston, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackeye goby sourced
Scientific name
Rhinogobiops nicholsii
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Blackeye goby; Bluespot goby; Crested goby; Large-scaled goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
106 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
5 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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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