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Crab-eye goby (Signigobius biocellatus) — Gobiidae

Crab-eye goby

Signigobius biocellatus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Crab-eye goby (Signigobius biocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The twinspot goby is a small goby (Gobiidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a light-brown, spotted body and two large eyespots on the dorsal fins that together resemble the head of a larger animal, a deterrent against predators. It lives on sand and silt bottoms of lagoons and coastal bays near coral or leaf litter, in pairs. It takes mouthfuls of bottom and sifts out small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crab-eye goby?

The Crab-eye goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Crab-eye goby live?

The Crab-eye goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Crab-eye goby get?

The Crab-eye goby grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Crab-eye goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Crab-eye goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Crab-eye goby edible?

The Crab-eye goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweevlek-grondel sourced
English name
Crab-eye goby verified
Scientific name
Signigobius biocellatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Crab-eyed goby; Four-eyed gobby; Signal goby; Twinspot goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No 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

More from the family Gobiidae

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