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Clown goby (Microgobius gulosus) — Gobiidae

Clown goby

Microgobius gulosus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Clown goby (Microgobius gulosus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–75.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Microgobius gulosus is a small goby (family Gobiidae) of the south-eastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico. The species reaches about 7 cm and has an elongate, brown-grey body. It inhabits mangrove streams with very fine silt-mud substrate and tolerates a wide range of salinity, from fresh to full seawater. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Because of its small size the species is of no fishery value and is harmless to humans. Like many gobies it digs burrows in the soft bottom.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clown goby?

The Clown goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Clown goby live?

The Clown goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Clown goby get?

The Clown goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Clown goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Clown goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Clown goby edible?

The Clown goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Modder-clowngrondel sourced
English name
Clown goby verified
Scientific name
Microgobius gulosus
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Average length (cm)
5.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
75.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Microgobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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