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Code goby (Gobiosoma robustum) — Gobiidae

Code goby

Gobiosoma robustum
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Code goby (Gobiosoma robustum) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The code goby (Gobiosoma robustum) is a small goby of the family Gobiidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, brownish body with a pattern of narrow cross-bars resembling Morse code, and reaches only about 5 cm. Adults inhabit seagrass beds and algal mats in very shallow, sheltered water, and also occur in bays and river mouths; they prefer fully saline water. As a bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is mainly of interest for the biodiversity of seagrass habitats.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Code goby?

The Code goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Code goby live?

The Code goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Code goby get?

The Code goby grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Code goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Code goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Code goby edible?

The Code goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Code-grondel sourced
English name
Code goby verified
Scientific name
Gobiosoma robustum
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Average length (cm)
2.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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
levensduur_max_jaar
1.0 verified

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 Gobiosoma

More from the family Gobiidae

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