Common goby (Pomatoschistus microps)

Scientific name: Pomatoschistus microps Kr?yer, 1838

The Common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 8–24°C (46–75°F). Native range: Eastern Atlantic, Norway to Morocco, including Baltic Sea (to southern Portugal) and western Mediterranean. Also in Mauritania and the Canary Islands.

Common goby care at a glance

Temperature: 8–24°C (46–75°F)

Biology

Enters estuaries, salt marshes and pools; usually on sand or mud. Prefers brackish water. Feeds on small crustaceans, worms, chironomid larvae and mites. Its burrowing habit allows it to survive low water levels and to avoid predators. 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. The male defends and aerates the eggs for about 9 days.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pomatoschistus microps
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 9.0
Depth range: 0–12 m (0–39 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 12 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Norway to Morocco, including Baltic Sea (to southern Portugal) and western Mediterranean. Also in Mauritania and the Canary Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.29; tm=0.8; tmax=2.6; Assuming fec