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Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) — Gobiidae

Flat-headed goby

Luciogobius guttatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia; tide pools and river mouths.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The flat-headed goby is a remarkable goby (Gobiidae) from East Asia. The species has an elongate, nearly scaleless, eel-shaped body with a flattened head and strongly reduced fins. It inhabits tide pools and river mouths and is often found where small brooks fall into the sea; it lives hidden under stones and in gravel. On the bottom it searches for small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flat-headed goby?

The Flat-headed goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eel-shaped, scaleless body with a flattened head; lives under stones in tide pools.

Where does the Flat-headed goby live?

The Flat-headed goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. East Asia; tide pools and river mouths.

How big does the Flat-headed goby get?

The Flat-headed goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Flat-headed goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Flat-headed goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Flat-headed goby edible?

The Flat-headed goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kim, Hyun-tae, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Flat-headed goby (Luciogobius guttatus) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) r-fujii, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Flat-headed goby verified
Scientific name
Luciogobius guttatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Flat-headed goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Natural range
East Asia; tide pools and river mouths.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Eel-shaped, scaleless body with a flattened head; lives under stones in tide pools. 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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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