paleback goby
Gobulus myersi
A small goby of reefs and sand bottoms, which hides among rocks and corals. It occurs from southern Florida to Rio de Janeiro and is not a target of sport fishing.
Also called: gobião-dorso-claro, gobião, paleback goby
- maximum
- 15 cm
who is the paleback goby
The light-backed goby is a fish of the family Gobiidae, the gobies. It reaches 15 cm and lives on reefs and sand bottoms near rocks and corals, from 0 to 50 m. It is a cryptic fish, meaning it hides and is rarely seen. It occurs from southern Florida and the Bahamas to Rio de Janeiro, including Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. It is of no importance for sport fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the paleback goby; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It is sold for aquariums.
identification
A small, secretive fish of the goby family, with pelvic fins joined in a suction disc, a general trait of the family. It lives on sand bottoms near rocks and corals. It looks like the spotfin goby (Oxyurichthys stigmalophius), which lives in the same region and shares burrows with shrimp. The spotted fin is what separates the two.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil, as far as Rio de Janeiro, on sand bottoms near rocks and corals.
Habitat: Sand bottoms near rocks and corals, 0 to 50 m.
coast
rules for the paleback goby
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to people. Handle it with wet hands and return it to the water quickly.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00741, b = 3.09; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Gobulus myersi (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Gobulus myersiNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
