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Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae

Throatspine gudgeon

Belobranchus belobranchus
Family: Eleotridae

The Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste

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Description

The throatspine gudgeon is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) from fresh and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, dark-brown body with a large mouth and a small spine on the throat. It lives in lower river reaches and estuaries; the larvae migrate to sea and return as juveniles. As a bottom-oriented predator it hunts small crustaceans, insects and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Throatspine gudgeon?

The Throatspine gudgeon has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Throatspine gudgeon live?

The Throatspine gudgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste

How big does the Throatspine gudgeon get?

The Throatspine gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Throatspine gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Throatspine gudgeon is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 王弘德, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Throatspine gudgeon (Belobranchus belobranchus) — Eleotridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — P. Bravo (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Throatspine gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Belobranchus belobranchus
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Throat-spine gudgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Japan, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Eleotridae

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