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Thomas's goby (Yongeichthys thomasi) — Gobiidae

Thomas's goby

Yongeichthys thomasi
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Thomas's goby (Yongeichthys thomasi) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.8 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; brackish creeks, lagoons and mangroves.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Thomas s goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from the eastern Atlantic off the coast of West Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an elongate body with a marbled pattern that camouflages it on the bottom. It is tied to brackish water and is usually found in brackish creeks near river mouths, in coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, ponds and creeks. Only rarely are there reports of specimens ascending rivers into fresh water. As a bottom fish it feeds on small invertebrates and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thomas's goby?

The Thomas's goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Endemic to brackish water; inhabits mangrove creeks near river mouths.

Where does the Thomas's goby live?

The Thomas's goby lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; brackish creeks, lagoons and mangroves.

How big does the Thomas's goby get?

The Thomas's goby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Thomas's goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Thomas's goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Thomas's goby edible?

The Thomas's goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Thomas's goby (Yongeichthys thomasi) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Thomas's goby sourced
Scientific name
Yongeichthys thomasi
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; brackish creeks, lagoons and mangroves.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Endemic to brackish water; inhabits mangrove creeks near river mouths. 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 Yongeichthys

More from the family Gobiidae

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