Home · Gobiidae · Goldspot goby
Goldspot goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) — Gobiidae

Goldspot goby

Gnatholepis thompsoni
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goldspot goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The goldspot goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) is a small goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a pale, translucent body with a small, golden spot at the pectoral-fin base and a dark bar through the eye, and grows to only a few centimetres. It inhabits open sand, rock and rubble areas near reefs, often together with the bridled goby. It is a bottom dweller that gathers food by taking sand into its mouth and expelling it through the gill openings, filtering out edible particles. Owing to its small size the species is not a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldspot goby?

The Goldspot goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Goldspot goby live?

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

How big does the Goldspot goby get?

The Goldspot goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Goldspot goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldspot goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldspot goby edible?

The Goldspot goby is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Goudvlekgrondel sourced
English name
Goldspot goby verified
Scientific name
Gnatholepis thompsoni
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Goldspot Goby; Goldspot goby; White goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
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
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

Same genus Gnatholepis

More from the family Gobiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →