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Brito's goby (Chromogobius britoi) — Gobiidae

Brito's goby

Chromogobius britoi
Family: Gobiidae

The Brito's goby (Chromogobius britoi) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6–65 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Portugal, Madeira Is., Canary Is.

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Description

Brito's goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the eastern Atlantic around the Canary Islands and Macaronesia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it shelters under stones, in crevices and tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brito's goby?

The Brito's goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brito's goby live?

The Brito's goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Portugal, Madeira Is., Canary Is.

How big does the Brito's goby get?

The Brito's goby grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Brito's goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Brito's 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

Brito's goby (Chromogobius britoi) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Brito's goby (Chromogobius britoi) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Brito's goby sourced
Scientific name
Chromogobius britoi
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6 verified
Max depth (m)
65 verified
Natural range
Africa: Portugal, Madeira Is., Canary Is. sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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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