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Meek's goby (Microgobius meeki) — Gobiidae

Meek's goby

Microgobius meeki
Family: Gobiidae

The Meek's goby (Microgobius meeki) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–36 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

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Description

Meek's goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from coastal and brackish water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, pale, partly translucent body. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of estuaries and lagoons, often in a self-dug burrow, and snaps at small zooplankton and bottom life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Meek's goby?

The Meek's goby has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Meek's goby live?

The Meek's goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

How big does the Meek's goby get?

The Meek's goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Meek's goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Meek's goby 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.

More photos

Meek's goby (Microgobius meeki) — Gobiidae — 2
Starks, Chloe Lesley (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Meek's goby sourced
Scientific name
Microgobius meeki
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
36 verified
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela 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

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 Microgobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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