FreshwaterBrackishSaltwater
Round goby
Neogobius melanostomus
Gobiidae, Gobiinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 35 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 1,044 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Moldova, Romania, Russia, and 4 more countries.
Introduced to Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and 7 more countries.
More about the species
Description
Prefer shallow, brackish waters but also occur in fresh waters; in lagoons and lakes, large rivers, harbors, on sand or rock bottom; mostly found on well vegetated or rock bottom. Can tolerate a temperature range of 0 to 30°C, but mainly thrive in warm temperate waters; able to tolerate low oxygen content waters for several days. Oviparous, with demersal eggs. Longevity up to 4 years. Males reproduce for the first time at 3-4 years, females at 2-3 years. Spawning season in April to September; females may repeat spawning during a season, every 18-20 days; body of males entirely black during this season. Adhesive eggs deposited on stones, shells and aquatic plants; males guard eggs until hatching and usually die after spawning season. Egg clutches are supposed to be occasionally transported attached to the hull of ships, facilitating introduction to other areas. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and small fish, mostly on molluscs. Due to its large size, it has a major commercial value in some areas, especially in Azov Sea. It is usually salted, dried and consumed with beer.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Apollonia melanostoma
- Gobius affinis
- Gobius cephalarges
- Gobius chilo
- Gobius exanthematosus
- Gobius grossholzii
In other languages
- Svartmunnet kutling
- Svartmunnad smörbult
- Sortmundet kutling
- Isopäätokko, Kaukasiantokko, Mustakitatokko, Mustatäplätokko
- Black spotted goby, Caspian round goby, Ginger goby
Articles
All articles
How to set up an Asian aquarium5 min read
Two aquariums from Southeast Asia: calm forest streams and peat swamps with soft, brown water, and fast mountain streams with cool, oxygen-rich water.
How to set up a European aquarium5 min read
A coldwater aquarium with European fish and plants, without a heater. The water follows the seasons, and summer heat is the biggest problem.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.