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Angola goby (Thorogobius angolensis) — Gobiidae

Angola goby

Thorogobius angolensis
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angola goby (Thorogobius angolensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
26.0–135.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Angola goby is a small goby of the family Gobiidae (gobies) reaching about 11 cm. The brownish body bears a row of large, dark blotches on the flank; like all true gobies it has the pelvic fins fused into a sucker with which the fish clings to the bottom. The species is a shy hole-dweller near rocky bottoms and crevices of the continental shelf along the West African coast, retreating quickly when threatened. On the bottom it searches for small crustaceans, worms and zooplankton. The male guards the eggs laid in a crevice. Because of its small size and hidden lifestyle it is only rarely seen.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angola goby?

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

Where does the Angola goby live?

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

How big does the Angola goby get?

The Angola goby grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Angola goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Angola goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Angola goby edible?

The Angola goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Angola-grondel inferred
English name
Angola goby verified
Scientific name
Thorogobius angolensis
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
26.0 verified
Max depth (m)
135.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No 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 Thorogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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