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Blind goby (Typhlogobius californiensis) — Gobiidae

Blind goby

Typhlogobius californiensis
Family: Gobiidae

The Blind goby (Typhlogobius californiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blind goby is a remarkable goby (Gobiidae) from the eastern Pacific off the coast of California. The species is pink and almost colourless and has strongly reduced eyes hidden beneath the skin; as an adult it is functionally blind. It lives in the burrows of ghost shrimp (Callianassa) under rocks in shallow water and the surf zone, a life of constant darkness in which sight is superfluous. It feeds on small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blind goby?

The Blind goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blind goby live?

The Blind goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blind goby get?

The Blind goby grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Blind goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Blind goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Blind goby edible?

The Blind goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blinde grondel sourced
English name
Blind goby verified
Scientific name
Typhlogobius californiensis
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Blind goby verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gobiidae

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