Got a photo? Identify fish instantly with the Fishby app.
Open the appDescription
Taenioides buchanani, commonly known as the Burmese gobyeel, is a fascinating and somewhat cryptic species of goby belonging to the family Oxudercidae. It is characterized by its elongated, eel-like body, small eyes, and subterranean or burrowing lifestyle. This species is adapted to estuarine and freshwater environments, often found in muddy substrates where it constructs burrows. Its unique morphology and behavior make it a subject of interest in ichthyology, particularly concerning its adaptations to low-oxygen environments and its specialized feeding strategies.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- eel-like
- Coloration
- Generally a uniform dull brown, grey, or yellowish-brown, often paler ventrally. The coloration can vary slightly depending on the substrate it inhabits, providing camouflage.
- Scale type
- none
- Mouth position
- inferior
- Distinctive features
- Extremely elongated, cylindrical, and eel-like body., Very small, almost vestigial eyes, often covered by skin, indicating a reliance on other senses in its dark, burrowing habitat., Small, downward-pointing mouth with small, conical teeth., Absence of scales, giving the skin a smooth, slimy appearance., Fused pelvic fins forming a disc-like structure, characteristic of gobies, though often reduced in this genus., Long dorsal and anal fins that are continuous with the caudal fin, forming a single, continuous fin fold.
- Dorsal fin
- Two dorsal fins, but often appear as a single, long, continuous fin with the caudal and anal fins. The first dorsal fin is typically very small and consists of a few weak spines, while the second dorsal is much longer and soft-rayed.
- Tail fin
- Rounded or pointed, continuous with the dorsal and anal fins.
- Pectoral fin
- Small and rounded, located just behind the head.
- Distinctive fins
- Pelvic fins are fused into a small, disc-like structure, characteristic of gobies, but often reduced and difficult to discern in this species due to its elongated body and burrowing lifestyle.
Identification Tips
Body Shape
Look for an extremely elongated, snake-like body, distinctly different from typical gobies.
Eyes
Observe the very small, almost rudimentary eyes, often barely visible or covered by skin, a key adaptation to its burrowing lifestyle.
Fins
Note the continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, forming a single fin fold along the posterior body. The fused pelvic fins, though small, are also a diagnostic goby feature.
Skin
The absence of scales and the smooth, often slimy skin are characteristic.
Habitat
Its presence in muddy, estuarine, or tidal freshwater environments, often burrowing, is a strong indicator.
Habitat
- Water type
- brackish
- Depth
- Typically found in shallow waters, from intertidal zones to depths of a few meters, primarily within the substrate.
- Environment
- Estuaries, tidal creeks, muddy river mouths, and freshwater sections of rivers influenced by tides. Prefers soft, muddy, or silty substrates where it can construct extensive burrows. Often found in areas with dense mangrove vegetation or other riparian cover.
- Geographic range
- Indo-West Pacific region, specifically reported from India (including the Andaman Islands), Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and potentially other parts of Southeast Asia.
Aquarium Information
- Care level: advanced
- Temperament: peaceful
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum tank size: 50 gallons
- Temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
- pH level: 7.0-8.0
- Hardness: 10-20 dGH
- Compatibility: Best kept in a species-specific tank or with very peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish that will not outcompete it for food or disturb its burrows. Avoid aggressive or overly active tank mates.
- Special requirements: Requires a deep substrate (at least 15-20 cm) of fine sand or mud for burrowing. Dim lighting and plenty of hiding spots (PVC pipes, smooth rocks) are beneficial. Excellent filtration is crucial due to its burrowing habits potentially stirring up detritus. Can tolerate slightly brackish conditions, but typically found in freshwater or low-salinity estuaries.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: least concern
- Seasonality: No distinct seasonal patterns reported for breeding or migration; activity is largely influenced by local environmental conditions and food availability.
- Market price: Low
- Commercial importance: low
- Taste: Not commonly consumed, taste is generally described as mild and earthy.
- Texture: Soft, somewhat gelatinous.
- Cooking methods: Not typically prepared for human consumption due to small size and burrowing nature.
- Nutritional value: No specific nutritional data available due to its limited culinary use.
Key Facts
Burrowing Masterbehavior
The Burmese gobyeel spends most of its life within self-constructed burrows in soft mud, emerging primarily to feed.
Reduced Visionevolution
Its extremely small, often skin-covered eyes are an adaptation to its subterranean lifestyle, where vision is of little use.
Air Breathingamazing
Like some other mud-dwelling gobies, Taenioides buchanani is believed to possess some degree of cutaneous respiration or buccal respiration, allowing it to survive in low-oxygen environments within its burrows.
Cryptic Predatorbehavior
Despite its seemingly docile appearance, it is a carnivorous predator, ambushing small invertebrates from its burrow.
Safety Information
Safe- Safety level: safe
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: not recommended
- Handling notes: Generally harmless. When handling, use caution to avoid startling the fish, as it may attempt to burrow or wriggle vigorously. Its slimy skin can make it difficult to grip. No known venomous spines or toxic secretions.
Similar Species
Eel Goby
Taenioides anguillaris
T. anguillaris generally has a more robust head and slightly larger eyes compared to T. buchanani. Subtle differences in fin ray counts and vertebral numbers can distinguish them, but these require detailed examination. Geographic distribution can also be a clue, though ranges may overlap.
Mud Goby
Odontamblyopus rubicundus
While also eel-like and burrowing, O. rubicundus typically has more prominent eyes, a larger mouth, and often a reddish coloration. Its dorsal and anal fins are also continuous with the caudal, but fin ray counts and head morphology differ upon closer inspection.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Gobiiformes
- Family
- Oxudercidae
- Genus
- Taenioides
- Species
- buchanani
Explore Burmese gobyeel
Identify fish anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full species details, and more.