| Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| Max. size: |
20 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish |
| Distribution: |
Eurasia: Azov and Black Sea basins. Invasive in rivers of northern Black Sea basin, recorded in 1997 from middle Vistula (Poland), reaching from Dniepr via a navigation canal. In Danube upriver to Hungary, in Dniepr up to Belurus. Introduced in Lake Balaton, Hungary around 1970. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-18; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 12-17. This species is distinguished from its congeners entering freshwater in the Black Sea basin by the following characters: first branched ray of second dorsal about twice as long as penultimate ray; completely scaled nape; pelvic-disc fraenum with small rounded lobes and the length is less than 1/6 of width at base; pelvic disc reaching 90-100% of distance between its origin and anus; scales in midlateral series 55-61 + 2-4; posterior part of first dorsal without black spot (Ref. 59043). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in inshore habitats, estuaries and brackish- and fresh-water lagoons and lakes; large to medium sized rivers and streams; on sand or mud bottom. It is one of the most abundant fish in lowland rivers. This species lives up to 5 years; spawns for the first time at 2 years; spawning season in April to July, locally until September, when temperature is above 13°C; females may repeat spawning during a season. Males with body completely black with yellow fin margins during the spawning season; these excavate nests under any kind of hard substrate and guard eggs until hatching; with adhesive eggs deposited on stones, shells and aquatic plants. Feeds on a variety of invertebrates, especially molluscs (Ref.59043). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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