Description: A small goby, growing to around 6 cm, with a body that tapers from a relatively wide head to the tail. They have a mottled red, brown and gold colouration which tends to match the habitat. There are five darker marks on each side of the fish. The eyes are high on the head and almost touch when viewed from above. The first dorsal fin is a beautiful iridescent blue, flecked with golden and darker spots, and the second ray is particularly long, especially in males. The second dorsal fin is less colourful but still has hints of iridescence and flecks of brown and gold.

Habitat: Mud or shelly mud from 5 m to offshore at over 300 m.

Distribution: Widely recorded offshore around Britain and Ireland, much more rarely recorded inshore in shallow water but this could be due to habitat preference and confusion with other small gobies. Divers have recently recorded from Scottish sea lochs, Co Galway and Strangford Lough.

Similar Species: Could be confused with some other small gobies but the eye position and long second ray on first dorsal fin should be diagnostic.

Key Identification Features:

• Small goby with mottled colouration and five dark marks on each side.
• Eyes are set high on head, almost touching.
• First dorsal fin is iridescent blue flecked with gold and darker spots.
• Second ray of first dorsal fin very long, especially in males.

Distribution Map from NBN: Buenia jeffreysii at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Buenia jeffreysii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Buenia jeffreysii

WoRMS: Buenia jeffreysii at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Buenia jeffreysii (Günther, 1867). AphiaID: 126872.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gobiiformes; Gobiidae; Gobiinae; Buenia