| Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| 20 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
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benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Europe and Asia: Caspian basin; common in Volga drainage, upriver to Moscow. Introduced in Aral basin. |
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This species is distinguished from its congeners entering freshwater in the Caspian Sea basin by the following characters: first branched ray of second dorsal about as long as penultimate ray; nape completely scaled; 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 55-63 + 2-3; in juveniles at least, posterior part of first dorsal with black spot (Ref. 59043). |
| Occurs in lagoons and lakes, large- to medium- size rivers, on sand or mud bottom; usually on open sand or sand-shell bottom. Lives up to 3 years. Spawns for the first time at 1 year, rarely at 2. Spawns in April-September. Individual females may repeat spawning during a season. Adhesive eggs are deposited on stones, shells and aquatic plants and are guarded by males until hatching. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates (mainly crustaceans and insect larvae) and small fish (Ref.59043). Is the most important commercial species of goby in the Caspian Sea (Ref. 2058). |
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Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
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Found in the delta of the Ural River (Ref. 2058). |
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