Biology
provided by Arkive
This species can often be observed basking on sunny days in pools (4). It has a broad diet, which includes large quantities of green algae, polychaete worms, crustaceans, small fishes, and insects (4). The range of food taken varies depending on the age of the fish. Younger giant gobies mainly take small items such as small amphipods and ostracods while older individuals take larger items, until a large proportion of the food intake consists of green algae (4).
Both sexes live for about ten years, sexual maturity is reached at two to three years of age, and breeding occurs between March and May. Up to 12,000 eggs are laid per clutch (5); the eggs are attached to the underside of stones and fertilised by the male who then guards them (4). Females produce two clutches of eggs each year for about eight years (4).
Conservation
provided by Arkive
In 1998 the species was added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (3). Under this Act it is an offence to kill, injure, take or sell giant gobies, or to damage or destroy any structure or place used by an individual for shelter or protection (3). Furthermore, it is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.
Description
provided by Arkive
Britain's largest native species of goby, the giant goby is greyish to olive brown (4) with 'pepper and salt' freckling, which is particularly marked in smaller fish (5). The deep body is covered in small scales, the eyes are small and the tail stalk is short. Males in breeding condition are darker in colour than females (4).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
Inhabits rock pools high up in the intertidal zone of sheltered shores. Occupied pools typically contain boulders under which giant gobies can take shelter, and have inputs of freshwater, so the water in the pools is usually brackish (4).
Range
provided by Arkive
In the UK, the giant goby is known only from the coasts of south-west England between Wembury and the Isles of Scilly (4). Outside of the UK it is found from the western English Channel to Morocco, in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Gulf of Suez, (4) probably via the Suez Canal (5).
Status
provided by Arkive
Fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (3).
Threats
provided by Arkive
In 1992, giant gobies were absent from one site in south Devon and one from south Cornwall, which are parts of the historic range. It was assumed that the species was in decline, but the species was recorded again in the south Cornwall site in 1998. Although there is no evidence that the species is endangered in the UK, it seems likely that it is vulnerable to human disturbance due to the recreational pressures on the shore habitat (4).
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Benthic spawner.
Migration
provided by Fishbase
Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Occurs in the intertidal zones, among rocks, weeds and pools where the water is usually brackish (Ref. 4343, 5299). Occasionally recorded in freshwater, but there are no documented records of actual occurrence in European freshwaters (Ref. 59043). Macrobenthos feeder on hard substrates (Ref. 92840), feeds on green algae (Enteromorpha), crustaceans (amphipods, crabs), polychaetes, and insects (Ref. 4696).
- Recorder
- Drina Sta. Iglesia
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Occurs in the intertidal zones, among rocks, weeds and pools where the water is usually brackish (Ref. 4343, 5299). Occasionally recorded in freshwater, but there are no documented records of actual occurrence in European freshwaters (Ref. 59043). Macrobenthos feeder on hard substrates (Ref. 92840), feeds on green algae (Enteromorpha), crustaceans (amphipods, crabs), polychaetes, and insects (Ref. 4696).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family
Giant goby
provided by wikipedia EN
The giant goby (Gobius cobitis) is a species of goby native to coastal marine and brackish waters of the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea at depths of from 10 to 35 metres (33 to 115 ft). This species is of minor importance to commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish.[1]
Description
The head of the giant goby from
Italy
The giant goby, which grows to 27 centimetres (11 in) in length, is greyish to olive brown with 'pepper and salt' markings. These are especially notable in smaller specimens. In the breeding season the male is darker than the female. The body is covered in small scales, and the tail stalk is short. The eyes are small.
Habitat
The giant goby inhabits rock pools high up in the intertidal zone of sheltered shores. Occupied pools typically contain boulders under which the giant goby can take shelter, and have inputs of freshwater, so the water in the pools is usually brackish.
Diet
This species has been recorded to feed upon polychaete worms, green algae of the genus Ulva, amphipods, crabs and insects.[1]
Range
In the UK, the giant goby occurs only on the south coast, ranging along the southern West Country coast between Wembury in southwest Devon and the Isles of Scilly. Outside of the UK, it is found from the western English Channel to Morocco, in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Gulf of Suez, more than likely a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal.
Threats
In 1992, giant gobies were absent from one site in south Devon and one from south Cornwall, which are parts of the historic range. It was assumed that the species was in decline, but the species was recorded again in the south Cornwall site in 1998. Although there is no evidence that the species is endangered in the UK, it seems likely that it is vulnerable to human disturbance due to the recreational pressures on the shore habitat.
Conservation
In Great Britain in 1998 the species was added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under this Act it is an offence to kill, injure, take or sell giant gobies, or to damage or destroy any structure or place used by a giant goby for shelter or protection. Furthermore, it is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.
References
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
Giant goby: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The giant goby (Gobius cobitis) is a species of goby native to coastal marine and brackish waters of the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea at depths of from 10 to 35 metres (33 to 115 ft). This species is of minor importance to commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
