The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, is a small, fascinating fish species found in various marine environments.
Description & Characteristics
The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, is a small fish with a maximum size of 7.5 cm. Its body is elongated and somewhat compressed, with a slightly pointed head and a blunt snout. This goby species is characterized by its distinctive color patterns, typically displaying a light brown to yellowish body with darker brown or grey spots and stripes.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, is a versatile fish that thrives in a variety of habitats. It is frequently found in landward-directed reefs, mangrove zones, sandy seafloors, seagrass meadows, and eelgrass meadows. This species prefers areas with a depth range of 0.0 to 15.0 meters, making it a common inhabitant of the Intertidal (Eulittoral) zone, the intertidal zone between the high and low tide lines characterized by the alternation of low and high tides.
Taxonomy
The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, belongs to the Gobiidae family, which is a diverse group of fish known for their small size and generally bottom-dwelling habits. The Gobiidae family, in turn, is part of the Gobiiformes order, characterized by their distinct pelvic fins that are fused to form a suction disc. The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, is a member of the Class Teleostei, the largest group of bony fish, encompassing over 20,000 species.
Feeding
The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, is a carnivorous fish that feeds primarily on a variety of small invertebrates. Its diet includes amphipods, copepods, detritus, echinoderm larvae, mysis, worms, and zoobenthos. These dietary components provide the necessary nutrients for this species’ survival and growth. The Buan Goby, Amblygobius buanensis, plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by helping to control populations of these small invertebrates.
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