Home · Gobiidae · Quagga goby
Quagga goby (Pomatoschistus quagga) — Gobiidae

Quagga goby

Pomatoschistus quagga
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Quagga goby (Pomatoschistus quagga) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The quagga goby is a small goby of the family Gobiidae reaching about 6 cm. A row of dark, narrow cross-bars runs over the back and flank, recalling the stripe pattern of a zebra or quagga and giving the species its name; like other gobies the pelvic fins are fused into a sucking disc. The species lives on sand and gravel bottoms of shallow coastal water of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, often near seagrass beds. On the bottom it searches for small crustaceans and worms. Breeding males are more boldly marked and defend a territory; they guard the eggs laid under a shell or stone. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Quagga goby?

The Quagga goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Quagga goby live?

The Quagga goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Quagga goby get?

The Quagga goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Quagga goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Quagga goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Quagga goby edible?

The Quagga goby is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Quagga-grondel inferred
English name
Quagga goby verified
Scientific name
Pomatoschistus quagga
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Quagga goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pomatoschistus

More from the family Gobiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →