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Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) — Gobiidae

Sonora goby

Gobiosoma chiquita
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–10 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, around the Gulf of California and adjacent coasts.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Sonora goby is a small goby of the family Gobiidae from the eastern Pacific, mainly around the Gulf of California. The species has an elongate, brown mottled body reaching only about 6 cm, with two dorsal fins. It lives on sand bottoms of tide pools and rocky reefs, staying close to the bottom. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Like many gobies the male deposits the clutch in a sheltered nook and guards it. Because of its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sonora goby?

The Sonora goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small bottom-dwelling goby of tide pools and sandy reefs; the male guards the clutch.

Where does the Sonora goby live?

The Sonora goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific, around the Gulf of California and adjacent coasts.

How big does the Sonora goby get?

The Sonora goby grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sonora goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Sonora goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Sonora goby edible?

The Sonora goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) — Gobiidae — 2
Jacob (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) bgmooaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora goby (Gobiosoma chiquita) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Sonora goby verified
Scientific name
Gobiosoma chiquita
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Sonora goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
10 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, around the Gulf of California and adjacent coasts.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Small bottom-dwelling goby of tide pools and sandy reefs; the male guards the clutch. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gobiosoma

More from the family Gobiidae

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