SmallWhale

Round goby

Meet the Round Goby, a tiny fish with a BIG appetite that travels the world!

Images

Round goby range

Round goby range

openverse
apalais jūrasgrundulis, apvalusis grundalas, babca neagra, babka bycza, babka kragla, babka krągla, black spotted goby, bychok-kruglijack, bychok-kruglyak, bychok-ryszyk, bychok-ryzhik, ginger goby, gobie à taches noires, round goby, schwarzmundgrundel
Mouth of round goby (2)
Round goby eggs
Round Goby
Round goby on a white background 5
apalais jūrasgrundulis, apvalusis grundalas, babca neagra, babka bycza, babka kragla, babka krągla, black spotted goby, bychok-kruglijack, bychok-kruglyak, bychok-ryszyk, bychok-ryzhik, ginger goby, gobie à taches noires, round goby, schwarzmundgrundel
Black dot features round goby
Round goby with clear lateral fin had and suction cup
Round goby with a black spot on fin
Round Goby
apalais jūrasgrundulis, apvalusis grundalas, babca neagra, babka bycza, babka kragla, babka krągla, black spotted goby, bychok-kruglijack, bychok-kruglyak, bychok-ryszyk, bychok-ryzhik, ginger goby, gobie à taches noires, round goby, schwarzmundgrundel

Key Facts

Scientific Name
Neogobius melanostomus.
Habitat
Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and introduced to the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea.
Diet
Carnivore: eats insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and fish eggs.
Size
Typically 10-25 cm (4-10 inches) long.
Lifespan
About 2-3 years in the wild.
Conservation Status
Least Concern.
Fun Fact
They have a suction cup on their belly to stick to surfaces!

Who's That Fishy Friend?

Imagine a little fish that loves to explore! That's the Round Goby. It's a bottom-dweller, meaning it likes to hang out on the floor of lakes and rivers.

These fish are small, usually only as long as your finger, but they are super important in the places they live. They have a big, round head and a funny little dot on their back fin that looks like an eye. They are curious and can be found in many different watery homes!

A Fishy World Traveler!

The Round Goby started its journey in faraway places like the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. But guess what? It's a great traveler!

It hitched rides on big ships and ended up in new places like the Great Lakes in North America. It's like a tiny explorer who found new continents! This means they can live in salty water, fresh water, and even water that's a little bit salty, which is pretty amazing for a fish.

What's for Dinner?

Round Gobies are always hungry and love to eat! They are carnivores, which means they eat other small creatures. Their favorite snacks include tiny bugs, little shrimp, and even the eggs of other fish.

Sometimes, they even eat other small fish! Because they eat so much, they can change the food chain in their new homes. They are like the busy eaters of the underwater world, always looking for their next meal.

Why Are They So Special?

Round Gobies are super interesting because they are so good at adapting to new places. They can live in many different kinds of water, from salty seas to freshwater lakes. They also have a special suction cup on their belly that helps them stick to rocks and other surfaces, so they don't get washed away.

This makes them tough little survivors! They are a great example of how life can find a way to thrive anywhere.

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0