ANIMALIA

Sand Goby
 

Common Name(s):  Sand Goby  Scientific Name:                Pomatoschistus minutus Family: Gobiidae  Size:  to 94 mm

Identification: Small goby (a family of small fishes with a notorious reputation of being difficult to differentiate, characterised by a pair of dorsal fins, and a pelvic fin fused into a weak suction cup).  Sandy colour but longer* than the similar species Pomatoschistus microps. In breeding  coloration the male fish has a occelated spot at the rear of the first dorsal fin. This spot is ringed with white. Only experienced rockpoolers are likely to be able to separate these species in the wild.  *distance from the last second dorsal fin ray to the tail fin is proportionately greater than in P.microps.  The eyes are more on top of the head in the Sand Goby, but the difference is only apparent when this fish and the Common Goby are compared side by side.  Similar Species:  Common Goby, Pomatoschistus microps. Breeding:  Summer. Eggs laid under small rocks and shells. Male guards the eggs. Life span 15 - 18 months only (could be longer).  Habitat:  Sandy shallows, intertidal with shallow sandy pools, estuaries in autumn.  Food: Small crustaceans like caprellids, Corophium spp., worms.  Range:  All British coasts.  Additional Notes: Abundant.  Gobies are difficult to identify. Photographs in books cannot be relied upon because the identifications of British species are wrong over 50% of the time.  Differences between Blennies & Gobies Shorewatch Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.  All messages will receive a reply. Shorewatch Project Report  Forms