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Drab goby (Gobiosoma homochroma) — Gobiidae

Drab goby

Gobiosoma homochroma
Family: Gobiidae
EN · Endangered

The Drab goby (Gobiosoma homochroma) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Drab goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine or reef water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it sits on sand, mud or rock by weed, roots or a burrow and snaps at small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Drab goby?

The Drab goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Very small, uniformly coloured bottom-dwelling goby; threatened by its restricted range.

Where does the Drab goby live?

The Drab goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters.

How big does the Drab goby get?

The Drab goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Drab goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Drab goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Drab goby edible?

The Drab goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Drab goby sourced
Scientific name
Gobiosoma homochroma
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
6
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very small, uniformly coloured bottom-dwelling goby; threatened by its restricted range. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gobiosoma

More from the family Gobiidae

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