Overview
Small bottom fish living among rocks, sand and Posidonia.
Identification
Wide headDouble dorsal finCylindrical bodyCamouflage colorationProtruding eyesWide mouthLarge pectoral finsBarely visible lateral line
- Body
- Elongated and cylindrical body with a wide head.
- Colouration
- Dark brown or black with lighter spots, often changes color for camouflage.
- Sexual dimorphism
- absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- rapid in warm waters with abundant food supply
Taxonomy
- Family
- Gobiidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Pomatoschistus micropsZosterisessor ophiocephalusGobius cobitisGobius paganellusGobius cruentatus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, brackish
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, posidonia
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea coasts.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and marine vegetation such as seagrass.
Prefers areas where it can easily hide, like rocks and marine vegetation.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu BalticoPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, polychaetes, small mollusks
- Secondary prey
- insect larvae, amphipods, copepods
- Occasional prey
- filamentous algae, organic detritus
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts at the bottom by digging in the sand or hiding to ambush prey.
- Natural predators
- large carnivorous fish, seabirds, sea snakes
Adapts to a wide range of available food in its coastal habitats.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- During spring and summer, it becomes more active for reproduction.
- Juveniles
- Young ones tend to hide in debris for protection.
- Adults
- Adults become more territorial and may defend small areas.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- March, April, May
- Spawning depth
- between 3 and 33 feet
- Eggs
- Adhesive eggs, attached to hard substrates, benthic
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae that develop quickly in warm coastal waters.
- Sexual maturity
- 1-2 years
When to catch Black goby
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays hidden.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky areasseagrass bedsshallow watersmarine inlets
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
hand fishingbottom fishingtraditional netstraps
Other applicable
Light Rock FishingRock FishingBolognesePesca A GalleggianteSpinning UltraleggeroBolognese Leggera
Recommended baits
small wormspieces of shrimpmollusksinsect larvae
Baits by pressure
Low
GrubJig head + softbaitSoftbait piccolo / LRFMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Shrimp artificiale (gomma)
Medium
Gambero morto / Gambero
High
BigattinoVerme coreanoArenicolaCozzaVerme americanoEsca naturale (generica)Pane raffermo
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Not very combative, relies on camouflage.
- Handling
- Handle gently to avoid damaging its delicate skin.
- Release
- Release quickly into the water to increase survival.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Despite their small size, gobies are a common catch for anglers frequenting lagoon and coastal environments, where specimens of 6 inches are considered noteworthy. In the Mediterranean, they are often caught for local use and as live bait.
- In the kitchen
- Rarely used in cooking due to small size, but occasionally used in traditional fish soups.
- Cultural notes
- Appreciated in underwater collections for its ability to integrate into the marine life of the seafloor.
- Historical notes
- Known since ancient times, often depicted in Roman mosaics.
