Common Name:   Goby,

Local Name:   Biya(Tagalog);  Bunog (Cebuano)

Max Size:  50 cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Freshwater

Depth:  0 – 30 m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:  None

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Shrimp, Small Fish and Worms

IUCN Red List Status:  Least Concern (LC)

The Tank Goby is one of the many species of small Goby found in the fresh, brackish and saltwaters of the Philippines. We have chosen to list it here for numerous reasons.  First the Tank Goby is one of the largest goby species that can be found in the Philippines reaching a length of up to 50 cm making them worthy of mention.  Also Biya, as they are known in the Tagolog regions, have a species place in the Tagalog cuisine and are considered a delicious food fish.  Biya are cooked fresh in a number of dishes and they are also salted and dried.

Biya in general are caught in rivers, lakes and even estuaries where they sit along the bottom waiting for prey to pass by.  They aggressively gobble up worms, shrimp, small fish and other baits that are lightly jigged off the bottom.  On average Biya are quite small however in estuaries and lakes anglers can find the larger ones.  Biya make for fun fish for kids to catch because of how aggressive they are and how numerous they are.

The Tank Goby bears resemblance to the Gudgeon fish which are also found through out the country.  The main distinguishing feature of the goby is its elongated body as compared to the shorter and more plump body of the gudgeon.

Sonny’s Monster Biya from Laguna