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River goby (Glossogobius callidus) — Gobiidae

River goby

Glossogobius callidus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The River goby (Glossogobius callidus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The river goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from southern Africa. The species has an elongate, mottled brown body with a flattened head and, as is typical of gobies, pelvic fins fused into a sucker. It inhabits estuaries and river systems, where it lives bottom-bound in pools among cobbles and other cover. As an ambush hunter it takes small fishes, crustaceans and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the River goby?

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

Where does the River goby live?

The River goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the River goby get?

The River goby grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the River goby dangerous to humans?

No, the River goby is harmless to humans.

Is the River goby edible?

The River goby is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slimme tonggrondel sourced
English name
River goby verified
Scientific name
Glossogobius callidus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glossogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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