Violet Goby
Violet Goby
Dragonfish, Dragon Goby
Gobioides broussonnetii

Description:

Very elongate and cylindrical body, almost eel-like, and is covered in small scales. Mouth is large and oblique. Has a singular continuous dorsal fin, with both the dorsal and anal fins connected to the base of its lanceolate tail. Upper body/back may appear purple, blue, brown, or dark gray. Has thin chevron pattern/forward-pointing stripes along the length of the body. Sides of the body may appear silver, olive-green, or white. It is the longest goby species.

Average Maximum Size:

61 cm (24 in)

Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Violet Goby's distinctly elongated and eel-like body plan can be used to distinguish it from most regional gobies with proportionally shorter bodies such as the Freshwater Goby, Frillfin Goby, Green Goby, Naked Goby, Seaboard Goby, Lyre Goby, and Emerald Goby. The Violet Goby can be additionally distinguished from typical gobies by its single continuous dorsal fin which among gobies is a characteristic unique to its genus.

Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:

Range:

South Carolina to Brazil

Habitat:

Found in salt and brackish coastal waters with soft muddy bottoms. They have been observed to inhabit tidal freshwater rivers. They are bottom dwellers and can be found at depths between 0-10 meters.

Notes:

Regulated Species:

No

Regulations Website:

Species: Gobioides broussonnetii
Family: Gobiidae
Family Description: Goby
Mouth Type: Superior
Tail Type: Lanceolate
Dorsal Type: Split

Similar Species

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Emerald Goby Detail
Emerald Goby
Highfin Goby
Highfin Goby
Seaboard Goby
Seaboard Goby
Lyre Goby
Lyre Goby
Freshwater Goby
Freshwater Goby
Naked Goby
Naked Goby
Green Goby
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Frilled Fin Goby
Frillfin Goby