- Rock goby
Taxobox
name = Rock goby
regnum =Animalia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Perciformes
familia =Gobiidae
genus = "Gobius "
species = "Gobius paganellus"Linnaeus 1758The rock goby is a small
coast al fish of easternAtlantic waters, fromScotland toSenegal . It is also reported from theMediterranean andBlack Sea s, and is a Lessepsian migrant in theGulf of Eilat andRed Sea . There are unconfirmed records from the area aroundPointe Noire in theCongo Republic .Description
The rock goby is usually black with white blotches - although the male is much more black when guarding the eggs. There is a pale band on the top of first dorsal fin. The rock goby grows to 12cm in length.
Habitat
The rock goby prefers rocky
sea floor s below the low tidemark, although it can be found in largerrock pool s inSummer . It may also live in fresh or brackish water. Its usual depth range is from 3 to 15 metres.Behaviour
The rock goby eats small
crab s andamphipod s,polychaete s,larva e and smallfish . The juvenile diet includes "Calanus ", acopepod , andmite s.Reproduction
The rock goby reproduces in Spring. It nests in rocky areas near the
kelp forest, Up to 7000 eggs are laid, in a single layer, under rocks and shells. The eggs (up to 7000) are laid in a single layer (2.5 mm in height) and guarded aggressively by the male. The eggs hatch in about 19 days.
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