For many, the mention of the word “goby” likely conjures up an image of a tiny secretive fish that often hides in and around reefs. However, as with many species in Georgia’s estuaries gobies can come in an impressive mix of shapes and sizes. Meet the violet goby (Gobioides broussonnetii), AKA the dragon goby.

Reaching lengths of over 20 inches (50+ cm), it is one of the largest known gobies in the world. Characterized by its slender elongated body and single continuous dorsal fin it can easily be mistaken for an eel at first glance. Distinct chevron marks along its sides are also key identification marks. With its tiny eyes adapted for life in murky water, the violet goby can be found in estuarine and coastal waters from the south Atlantic through the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea to Brazil.

As with most gobies the violet goby is a bottom-dwelling fish that can tolerate a wide range of salinities. Within Georgia’s estuaries it often inhabits soft, muddy bays, tidal creeks, drainage canals, and river mouths. Instead of chasing prey by sight, violet gobies cruise slowly over the bottom, scooping up mouthfuls of mud and sifting out edible bits like tiny invertebrates, detritus, and algae. Specialized teeth that look fierce are really tools for scraping algae from hard surfaces rather than for attacking other fish, and the species is generally shy and docile despite its “dragon” nickname.