Longtail Dwarf Goby

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: upper part of caudal fin longer than the lower part; anterior extremity of anterior oculoscapular canal in front of middle of eye; no posterior oculoscapular canal; back unscaled in front of origin of second dorsal; breeding males with 4-8 dark bars when alive; total scales in midlateral series 33-40 (Ref. 59043).

Males defend eggs in cavities under stones, plant material or molluscs shells (Ref. 59043). Females spawn several times during a season (Ref. 59043).

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

Occur in shallow water, on sand and among weeds (Ref. 4696). Live less than 2 years. Feed on small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 59043). Spawn after first winter. Females may spawn several times during a season. Males defend eggs in cavities under stones, plant material or molluscs shells (Ref. 59043) like underside of lamellibranch valves (Cardium, Monodonta, Unio, etc.) (Ref. 4696). Eggs hatch at 3.0-3.8 mm (Ref. 59043).

The longtail dwarf goby (Knipowitschia longecaudata) is a species of goby native to the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and the Caspian Sea where it is mostly found in areas of brackish water over sand or amongst weeds where it feeds on small invertebrates. This species can reach a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) TL.