Guy Freeman
Info
Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer, 1838)
The common goby is a small goby that grows up to 9 cm long. The top of the head, nape and neck are scaleless. The color is gray or sandy, often with darker spots on the back and faint spots on the side of the body. There is also a dark area at the base of the pectoral fins and caudal fin. Pelvic fins are connected to form a crescent-shaped disc.
The distribution area extends from the Baltic Sea via western Norway to the western Mediterranean. The goby migrates downstream or into shallow waters, mainly at the beginning of the spawning season in spring.
Pomatoschistus microps is an extremely common goby in its range and is found in both seawater and brackish water. It is an inhabitant of tide pools, estuaries, salt marshes and brackish inland lagoons. Although the goby prefers open waters with muddy or sandy sediment, they are also often found in dense vegetation.
The goby spawns after the first winter at sea, from February to September depending on the latitude. Individual females spawn several times per season. Adhesive eggs (0.9 x 0.7 mm) are laid under or between stones, shells and aquatic plants. The males guard and ventilate the eggs for about 9 days until they hatch. Juveniles enter freshwater habitats in late summer to forage.
The food spectrum includes amphipods, small crustaceans, worms and much more.
Similar to Pomatoschistus adriaticus, Pomatoschistus marmoratus and Pomatoschistus minutus.
According to WoRMS, the sand goby is host to numerous endoparasites.
Synonymised names
Gobius laticeps Moreau, 1881 · unaccepted
Gobius microps Krøyer, 1838 · unaccepted (synonym)
Gobius microps microps Krøyer, 1838 · unaccepted
Gobius microps puckensis Lawacz, 1965 · unaccepted
Gobius minutus minor Heincke, 1880 · unaccepted
Gobius parnelli Day, 1881 · unaccepted
Gobius pusillus Lowe, 1874 · unaccepted
Pomatoschistus microps microps (Krøyer, 1838) · unaccepted
Direct children (2)
Subspecies Pomatoschistus microps leopardinus (von Nordmann, 1840) accepted as Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Risso, 1810)
Subspecies Pomatoschistus microps microps (Krøyer, 1838) accepted as Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer, 1838)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The common goby is a small goby that grows up to 9 cm long. The top of the head, nape and neck are scaleless. The color is gray or sandy, often with darker spots on the back and faint spots on the side of the body. There is also a dark area at the base of the pectoral fins and caudal fin. Pelvic fins are connected to form a crescent-shaped disc.
The distribution area extends from the Baltic Sea via western Norway to the western Mediterranean. The goby migrates downstream or into shallow waters, mainly at the beginning of the spawning season in spring.
Pomatoschistus microps is an extremely common goby in its range and is found in both seawater and brackish water. It is an inhabitant of tide pools, estuaries, salt marshes and brackish inland lagoons. Although the goby prefers open waters with muddy or sandy sediment, they are also often found in dense vegetation.
The goby spawns after the first winter at sea, from February to September depending on the latitude. Individual females spawn several times per season. Adhesive eggs (0.9 x 0.7 mm) are laid under or between stones, shells and aquatic plants. The males guard and ventilate the eggs for about 9 days until they hatch. Juveniles enter freshwater habitats in late summer to forage.
The food spectrum includes amphipods, small crustaceans, worms and much more.
Similar to Pomatoschistus adriaticus, Pomatoschistus marmoratus and Pomatoschistus minutus.
According to WoRMS, the sand goby is host to numerous endoparasites.
Synonymised names
Gobius laticeps Moreau, 1881 · unaccepted
Gobius microps Krøyer, 1838 · unaccepted (synonym)
Gobius microps microps Krøyer, 1838 · unaccepted
Gobius microps puckensis Lawacz, 1965 · unaccepted
Gobius minutus minor Heincke, 1880 · unaccepted
Gobius parnelli Day, 1881 · unaccepted
Gobius pusillus Lowe, 1874 · unaccepted
Pomatoschistus microps microps (Krøyer, 1838) · unaccepted
Direct children (2)
Subspecies Pomatoschistus microps leopardinus (von Nordmann, 1840) accepted as Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Risso, 1810)
Subspecies Pomatoschistus microps microps (Krøyer, 1838) accepted as Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer, 1838)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
