Spotted goby

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Spotted goby
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Gobiidae Genus: Gobiusculus Species: G. flavescens
Binomial name
Gobiusculus flavescens

The Spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) is a small perciform fish found in British coastal waters. It is a small, slender goby, reaching up to 6 cm in length. They are distinct from other gobies in that their eyes are on the side of the head (lateral) rather than on top (dorsal).

[edit] Colour

There is a black spot at the base of the tail fin, and in the males, there is a second, smaller black spot beneath the pectoral fins. They are reddish to greenish brown in colour, paler on the undersides with dark reticulations dorsally. There are four light 'saddle' marks dorsally from the head to the end of the second dorsal fin. Along the midline of the sides are a series of bluish markings. During the breeding season these markings become extremely bright in the males.

[edit] Fins

The two dorsal fins are banded red, with the first dorsal fin bearing 7 rays (instead of the more usual 6 in other gobies). The caudal fin is transversely banded.