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Barehead goby (Caffrogobius nudiceps) — Gobiidae

Barehead goby

Caffrogobius nudiceps
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barehead goby (Caffrogobius nudiceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The barehead goby is a goby from coastal water of southern Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, greyish-brown body with a scaleless head and fine dark bands. As a dweller of the intertidal zone and shallow rocky coastal water it clings among rocks and in tidal pools and searches for small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barehead goby?

The Barehead goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Barehead goby live?

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

How big does the Barehead goby get?

The Barehead goby grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Barehead goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Barehead goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Barehead goby edible?

The Barehead goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kaalkop-grondel verified
English name
Barehead goby verified
Scientific name
Caffrogobius nudiceps
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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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