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Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) — Gobiidae

Hoese's sandgoby

Istigobius hoesei
Family: Gobiidae

The Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5–7 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Hoese's sandgoby is a small sandgoby (Gobiidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a pale, partly translucent body with fine dark spots. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and rubble patches near coral reefs and snaps at small bottom life; it sometimes sifts sand through the gills. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hoese's sandgoby?

The Hoese's sandgoby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Hoese's sandgoby live?

The Hoese's sandgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Hoese's sandgoby get?

The Hoese's sandgoby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Hoese's sandgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Hoese's sandgoby is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Hoese's sandgoby edible?

Yes, the Hoese's sandgoby is commonly eaten.

More photos

Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Adam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hoese's sandgoby (Istigobius hoesei) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mattdowse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Hoese's sandgoby sourced
Scientific name
Istigobius hoesei
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Sloth goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5 verified
Max depth (m)
7 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Istigobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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