Caspian bighead goby (Ponticola gorlap) fish species and information / pictures of Caspian bighead goby - Ponticola gorlap

Caspian bighead goby (Ponticola gorlap) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ponticola gorlap

Common Name
Caspian bighead goby

Biology
This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Caspian Sea basin by the following characters: 75-95 % of distance between its origin and anus; ctenoid scales completely cover predorsal area and nape; pelvic disc fraenum with angular lobes, fraenum length 1/6-1/2 of its width at base; scales in midlateral series 68-72 + 3-4; snout length 1.5-1.6 times in eye diameter; interorbital distance 0.8-0.9 times eye diameter; first branched ray of second dorsal about as long as penultimate ray; posterior part of first dorsal without black spot. This species is different from N. kessleri in the area in having a distinctive karyotype, some osteological characters and cycloid scales on opercle and anterior part of the nape (vs. ctenoid) (Ref. 59043).

Classification

Classified By
Iljin, 1949
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Gobies (Gobiidae)

Distribution

Region
Eurasia
Distribution
Eurasia: Caspian Sea; in Volga upriver to Astrakhan until 1977, spreaded out to Lakes Ivankovskoje and Rybinskoje (2000); invaded Don drainage (Black Sea basin) through Volga-Don canal (first record in 1972). Abundant in Lake Tsimlyansk and lower Don.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal
Trophic Level
3.76 s.e. 0.60 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
20.0 cm
Common Length
12.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries:
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (30 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)