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Speartail mudgoby

Oxyurichthys lonchotus

Speartail mudgoby© FishBase (CC BY-NC)

The speartail mudgoby (Oxyurichthys lonchotus) is a tiny marine goby reaching about 4.7 cm. It lives on soft‑mud bottoms in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, and is sought mainly by bait‑and‑bite anglers for its novelty rather than sport.

Fight
Taste

Basic Information

Family

Gobiidae

Max Size

4.7 cm

Habitat

marine

Depth Range

1-4m

Climate

tropical

Best Season

Warm months (May‑September) in temperate zones; year‑round in tropical regions

Best Time

Early dawn and late dusk when small invertebrates are active

Distribution

Select a map type to show distribution on the globe.

Fishing Tips for Speartail mudgoby

  • Use ultra‑light gear (1‑2 lb test line) to feel subtle bites
  • Present tiny live baits such as brine shrimp or copepods on a size 6‑8 hook
  • Fish over smooth mud or sand and keep the lure just above the bottom
  • Stay patient; the mudgoby often nips rather than fully bites

Top Fishing Locations for Speartail mudgoby

Darwin River Mouth, Northern Territory

Australia
beginner70% Very Common

Shallow estuarine channels where speartail mudgoby congregates over muddy sand, offering easy shore casting.

Best: March to May

Raja Ampat, West Papua

Indonesia
intermediate55% Common

Remote reef flats and mangrove lagoons with abundant mudgoby populations; access requires boat and guide.

Best: June to August

Panglao Island, Bohol Coast

Philippines
beginner65% Common

Sandy bays with seagrass beds attract speartail mudgoby; popular day‑trip destination for local anglers.

Best: April to June

Miri River Delta

Malaysia
beginner60% Common

Muddy estuary with extensive tidal flats ideal for mudgoby; reachable from Miri city with short boat trips.

Best: September to November

Kuta Beach, Lombok

Indonesia
intermediate20% Uncommon

Sandy beach near mangrove channels; speartail mudgoby appears sporadically, making it a fun target for adventurous anglers.

Best: July to September

Port Moresby Bay

Papua New Guinea
beginner75% Very Common

Tidal flats and mudflats near the capital are known for abundant mudgoby; easy shore access with local guides.

Best: February to April

Market Prices

Recommended Fishing Equipment for Speartail mudgoby

Recommended Equipment

RodUltra‑light spinning rod, 1.5 m, fast action
Line1‑2 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon
Lure TypeMicro jig or soft plastic grubs, 1‑2 cm, or none (live bait)
TechniqueBottom‑bouncing or light jigging near mud flats

Best bait: Live brine shrimp, copepods, or micro worms