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Gold brotula (Gunterichthys longipenis) — Bythitidae

Gold brotula

Gunterichthys longipenis
Family: Bythitidae
LC · Least Concern

The Gold brotula (Gunterichthys longipenis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–9.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The gold brotula is a livebearing brotula (Bythitidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has an elongate, yellowish body with continuous fins. It burrows in soft mud bottoms at shallow depths (0.7-6 m) of quiet lagoons, backwaters and the saline parts of estuaries. Like other bythitids it is viviparous and bears live young. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gold brotula?

The Gold brotula has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Gold brotula live?

The Gold brotula lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Gold brotula get?

The Gold brotula grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Gold brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Gold brotula is harmless to humans.

Is the Gold brotula edible?

The Gold brotula is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gouden brotula sourced
English name
Gold brotula verified
Scientific name
Gunterichthys longipenis
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Gold brotula verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
9.0 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

More from the family Bythitidae

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