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Padanian goby (Padogobius bonelli) — Gobiidae

Padanian goby

Padogobius bonelli
Family: Gobiidae

The Padanian goby (Padogobius bonelli) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland

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Description

The Padanian goby is a small freshwater goby (Gobiidae) endemic to clear rivers and streams of the Po basin in northern Italy. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body. As a bottom-dweller it lives among stones and gravel of flowing water; the male guards the eggs under a stone. It snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Padanian goby?

The Padanian goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Padanian goby live?

The Padanian goby lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Europe: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland

How big does the Padanian goby get?

The Padanian goby grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Padanian goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Padanian 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

Padanian goby (Padogobius bonelli) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Lucio Bonato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Padanian goby sourced
Scientific name
Padogobius bonelli
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Padanian goby; Common goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Europe: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland 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 Padogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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