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Maiden goby (Pterogobius virgo) — Gobiidae

Maiden goby

Pterogobius virgo
Family: Gobiidae

The Maiden goby (Pterogobius virgo) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The maiden goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow, temperate coastal and rocky water of the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender body with ornate yellow and blue crossbars. As a day-active bottom-dweller it hovers just above sand and rock by weed and seagrass and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maiden goby?

The Maiden goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Maiden goby live?

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

How big does the Maiden goby get?

The Maiden goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Maiden goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Maiden goby is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maagd-grondel sourced
English name
Maiden goby sourced
Scientific name
Pterogobius virgo
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
10 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Pterogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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