Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Scientific name: Neogobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814

The Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–20°C (39–68°F).

Round goby care at a glance

Temperature: 4–20°C (39–68°F)

Biology

Prefer shallow, brackish waters but also occur in fresh waters; in lagoons and lakes, large rivers, harbors, on sand or rock bottom; mostly found on well vegetated or rock bottom. Can tolerate a temperature range of 0 to 30?C, but mainly thrive in warm temperate waters; able to tolerate low oxygen content waters for several days. Oviparous, with demersal eggs. Longevity up to 4 years. Males reproduce for the first time at 3-4 years, females at 2-3 years. Spawning season in April to September; females may repeat spawning during a season, every 18-20 days; body of males entirely black during this season. Adhesive eggs deposited on stones, shells and aquatic plants; males guard eggs until hatching and usually die after spawning season. Egg clutches are supposed to be occasionally transported attached to the h

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Neogobius melanostomus
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 24.6
Depth range: 0–30 m (0–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 30 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Europe: Sea of Azov, Black Sea and Caspian basins. Adverse ecological impact after introduction have been reported by several countries. In 2004, this was accidentally introduced in North America with ballast water in ships.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-4; tmax=4; Fec=300)