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Ostrich goby (Callogobius maculipinnis) — Gobiidae

Ostrich goby

Callogobius maculipinnis
Family: Gobiidae

The Ostrich goby (Callogobius maculipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–37.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ostrich goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, brown-marbled body with skin flaps or ridges on the head and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it shelters among coral rubble, stones and crevices and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ostrich goby?

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

Where does the Ostrich goby live?

The Ostrich goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ostrich goby get?

The Ostrich goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Ostrich goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Ostrich goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekvin-richelgrondel sourced
English name
Ostrich goby sourced
Scientific name
Callogobius maculipinnis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Ostrich goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Callogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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