Painted goby

D-Fleckengrundel, Bändergrundel; GB-Painted goby; DK-Spættet kutling; PL-Babka pisana; EST-Laikmudilake; RU-бычок покрашенный; FIN-Kivikkotokko; S-Bergstubb

Characters

1) Pelvic fins are grown together to form a sucking disc.
2) Basis of both dorsal fins only slightly separated from each other.
3) Double row of dark spots on dorsal fins.
●) Front edge of sucking disc smooth.
●) Body greyish, brownish to yellowish with unregular dark spots on the side.
Usually 4 to 5 cm, maximal up to 6 cm length.

Similar species

Sand goby - anterior margin of sucking disc serrated; dorsal fin without pattern, except a dark spot on end of first dorsal fin.

Common goby - dorsal fin without pattern, except a dark spot on end of first dorsal fin.

Two-spotted goby - dark, yellow bordered spot on caudal peduncle.

Biology

Prefers hard grounds and evoids brackish waters. Lives bottom-orientated in shallow waters down to 50 m depth. Spawns in early summer.

Diet

Feeds on small bottom-living organisms, mainly on crustaceans.

Endangerment

In the Baltic Sea possibly endangered due habitat destruction (gravel mining).

Remarks

Gobiids resemble each other much; this holds especially true for poorly coloured specimens and juveniles. Often even specialist have much difficulties to clearly identify the species.