Common Goby

This species is distinguished from other gobies in European freshwaters by the following characters: males with conspicuous dark proximal posterior spot on first dorsal; with cephalic lateral line canals; anterior oculoscapular canal extending to snout; branched rays in second dorsal 8-10.5; anal origin below simple of first branched ray of D2; total scales in midlateral series 39-52; completely scaled postdorsal body; caudal rounded (Ref. 59043). No scales in front of the first dorsal fin (Ref. 35388); body shape is terete, slightly depressed; eyes situated dorso-laterally; reduced swim bladders (Ref. 92840).

Benthic spawner (Ref. 32023).

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 11; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7 - 10; Vertebrae: 30 - 32

Enters estuaries, salt marshes and pools (Ref. 4343); usually on sand or mud (Ref. 59043). Lives in sea as well as brackish waters and migrates into limnetic sections of rivers (Ref. 92840). Also rock pools where it feeds mainly on epibenthic meiofauna like harpacticoids and small amphipods (Ref. 92840); small crustaceans, worms, chironomid larvae and mites (Ref. 4696). Its burrowing habit allows it to survive low water levels and to avoid predators (Ref. 30508). Spawns after first winter, at sea, in February - September, depending on latitude; individual females spawn several times during a season. Adhesive eggs (0.9 x 0.7 mm) are deposited under or between stones, shells and aquatic plants and males guard the eggs until hatching. Juveniles enter freshwater habitats in late summer to forage (Ref. 59043). The male defends and aerates the eggs for about 9 days.

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial