Divefree

Fish

Tank Goby

Glossogobius giuris

A hardy estuary goby of KwaZulu-Natal river mouths, tolerant of fresh and brackish water and often found on muddy bottoms.

Also known as bar-eyed goby, goby

Tank Goby
Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 4.0
Typical size
Commonly 15-30 cm
Habitat
Estuaries, lagoons and lower rivers
Depth
Shallow water, under about 10 m

The tank goby is a slender, bottom-dwelling fish, sandy-grey to olive with darker blotches along the flanks and a pointed head. It thrives in the estuaries, lagoons and lower rivers of KwaZulu-Natal, coping easily with the shifting salinity where rivers meet the sea, and even ranges into pure freshwater.

It is an opportunistic predator, taking small fish, prawns and insects from the bottom. Divers and snorkellers exploring estuaries will find it resting on mud and sand, darting off in short bursts when approached. It is a minor catch for light-tackle anglers rather than a targeted species.