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Dusky tripletooth goby (Tridentiger obscurus) — Gobiidae

Dusky tripletooth goby

Tridentiger obscurus
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dusky tripletooth goby (Tridentiger obscurus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dusky tripletooth goby is a stocky goby of the family Gobiidae reaching about 14 cm. The brownish body bears dark cross-bars and rows of pale spots; the name refers to its conspicuous three-pointed teeth. Like other gobies the pelvic fins are fused into a sucking disc, with which the fish clings to stones. The species comes from East Asia and lives in brackish and fresh coastal and estuarine water around Japan, Korea and China, on stone and rock bottoms of tidal zones, where it tolerates strongly varying salinity. As an omnivore it grazes algae and seeks small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. Through ballast water and shipping it has locally turned up outside its range.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky tripletooth goby?

The Dusky tripletooth goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Dusky tripletooth goby live?

The Dusky tripletooth goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky tripletooth goby get?

The Dusky tripletooth goby grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Dusky tripletooth goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky tripletooth goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Dusky tripletooth goby edible?

The Dusky tripletooth goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere drietandgrondel inferred
English name
Dusky tripletooth goby verified
Scientific name
Tridentiger obscurus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Hodgepodge goby; Threadfin goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Brackish verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal 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 Tridentiger

More from the family Gobiidae

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