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Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) — Gobiidae

Vigan goby

Acentrogobius viganensis
Family: Gobiidae

The Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

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Description

The Vigan goby is a goby (Gobiidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the Philippines and the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, sandy body with rows of dark spots and fused pelvic fins forming a sucker. As a bottom-dweller it perches on sand and mud bottoms of river mouths and mangroves and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Vigan goby?

The Vigan goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Vigan goby live?

The Vigan goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

How big does the Vigan goby get?

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

Is the Vigan goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Vigan goby 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

Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) r-fujii, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Vigan goby (Acentrogobius viganensis) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)

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All data

Identification

English name
Vigan goby sourced
Scientific name
Acentrogobius viganensis
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
8 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines 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

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

Same genus Acentrogobius

More from the family Gobiidae

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