In the Caribbean and Philippines amphidromous gobies (see Food Habits) form a large portion of the catch as they migrate upstream in freshwater creeks. A number of gobies have been successfully bred in captivity, and some are also popular in the aquarium trade.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food
Tropical gobies develop very quickly and probably live no longer than one year but in cooler areas some species may live between two and ten years.
Most gobies are extremely small; in fact, the smallest known vertebrate is a goby from Japan, no longer than 10 mm at sexual maturity. The largest, Gobioides broussenetii from the Caribbean, may reach 50 cm TL. Gobies are usually recognized by their small size, the existence of two dorsal fins (the first with eight flexible spines and the second soft), and a blunt round head with large eyes. Some gobies have prominent head barbells as well. Most gobies, and all freshwater species, have pelvic fins united to form an adhesive or sucking disc. However, some reef species have separated pelvic fins although the degree of separation is highly variable. The scales may be cycloid, ctenoid, or absent and the lateral line is absent. (Click here to see a fish diagram).
Coloration in gobies ranges from vivid, especially in reef species like the brilliantly marked neon gobies, to drab, as in many estuarine species (Bathygobius). Still others may be pallid or translucent (Coryphopterus). Although most reef gobies are sexually monomorphic in terms of permanent coloration and gross morphology, temporary sexual dichromatism (color differences between the sexes) has been observed during courtship and spawning on reefs and other habitats. When permanent sexual dimorphism does occur, it may vary even within a genus. For instance, males in some genera, Lythrypnus and Coryphopterus, have longer dorsal and/or anal spines than females, but other species within these genera lack any morphological differences. Permanent sexual dichromatism also exists in some species but investigators have been unable to explain why there is such variation within genera.
Many gobies have evolved unique physical adaptations for life in tidal or estuarine environments. For instance, mudskippers, which span the genera Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmus, Periophthalmadon, and Scartelaos, are essentially amphibious. The skin contains numerous blood vessels enabling them to take up atmospheric oxygen and a muscular tail helps them to skip over the mud. Additionally, their eyes are perched high on the head to allow them to forage effectively and avoid predation. Another goby, Gillichthys mirabilis, has evolved a highly vascularized buccopharynx, which allows it to gulp air from the surface when the waters it inhabits become depleted of oxygen.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; male larger; sexes colored or patterned differently; male more colorful; sexes shaped differently; ornamentation
Due to their small size, gobies must be wary of many different predators, such as sea snakes, shore birds and larger fishes. It’s no surprise that they have developed a wide range of behaviors to defend themselves. Perhaps the most characteristic feature of gobies is their secretive nature. They rarely leave their burrows and display a wide range of coloration for camouflage. Some gobies are translucent and have only a few colored spots to match their surroundings while others have formed symbiotic relationships with shrimp. In the latter case Crytocentrus steinitzni sits outside the burrow watching guard while the shrimp clears out the burrow they share. Cleaner fishes of the genus Gobiosoma enjoy relative freedom from predation due to their color pattern and cleaning behavior. Others live within sponges, sea urchins, the branches of corals, or the roofs of caves for protection. Some gobies even rely on chemical protection, producing a poison called tetrodotoxin, which also occurs in pufferfishes and species of salamander. Some morphological adaptations can be found in mudskippers (Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmus, Periophthalmadon, and Scartelaos). The eyes of mudskippers are located on the tops of their heads to detect and avoid shore birds as well as to locate prey, and their powerful tail allows them to move quickly along the mud.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: aposematic ; cryptic
Gobies are extremely successful in their ability to exploit microhabitats inaccessible to most other fishes; they are found from subarctic streams in Siberia to mountain streams at altitudes of 2,000 m on islands to ocean depths of 800 m. On coral reefs, they can be found in the numerous cracks and crevices or out in the open among corals (Gobiosoma). Others build burrows (Signigobius) or use the burrows of invertebrates, ranging from polychaete worms to clams. Members of the genera Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmus, Periophthalmadon, Scartelaos, and Bathygobius have uniquely adapted to tidepools, mudflats and mangrove swamps, where some even climb out of the water for extended periods to forage (discussed further in Food Habits). Still others build numerous holes along sandy beaches (Coryphopterus) or compose a large part of the fishes in estuaries, inland seas and continental shelf environments as deep as 800 m.
The approximately 200 species found in freshwater form a separate category of gobies. Gobies are extremely successful in freshwater habitats where few other fish are found, such as oceanic islands. Half of the freshwater species are part of the subfamily Sicydiinae. Members of this group exhibit a high degree of island endemism and some even reach the headwaters of high-elevation rivers (2,000 m) in mountains. Some species have a short marine life-stage while others have evolved to live completely within freshwater environments.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; saltwater or marine ; freshwater
Aquatic Biomes: pelagic ; benthic ; reef ; lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; temporary pools; coastal ; abyssal ; brackish water
Other Habitat Features: estuarine ; intertidal or littoral
Gobies are found worldwide in fresh, brackish and saltwater. They are concentrated in the tropics and subtropics, mainly of the Indo-Pacific, but some marine species can be found in the subarctic streams of southern Siberia. Gobies have been transported beyond their natural range via the intake pipes or ballast water of large ships. One species, Neogobius melanostomus, a native of the Black and Caspian Seas, was introduced into one of the Great Lakes in North America around 1990 and has since spread into all five. Between 1960 and 1963 two marine gobies native to Japan, Korea, and China had established populations along the California coastline and by 1980 they were established in several parts of Australia.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced , Native ); palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Native ); australian (Introduced , Native ); oceanic islands (Native ); indian ocean (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native ); pacific ocean (Native ); mediterranean sea (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Gobies are classified as zooplanktivores, omnivores, and carnivores, as they feed on a wide variety of small organisms like crabs, shrimps, smaller crustaceans (such as copepods, amphipods, and ostracods), mollusks, annelids, polychaetes, formaninferans, sponges, small fishes, and eggs of various invertebrates and fishes. Many gobies are quite selective in their feeding habits, favoring an individual prey item, such as a minute algae or small invertebrate. Others have evolved unusual adaptations to allowing feeding in habitats formerly off-limits to fish. For instance, mudskippers (Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmus, Periophthalmadon, and Scartelaos) take on an amphibious character, actively foraging over mudflats and up mangrove roots for crustaceans and insects (see Physical Description for more information on this). Members of the genus Gobiosoma are well known for their brilliant colors used to distinguish them as cleaner fishes. These gobies feed on the parasites and dead skin of larger fish. Some freshwater species of the subfamily Sicydiinae are amphidromous: the larvae are carried downstream to the ocean where they feed and grow (they travel for feeding, not reproduction, unlike many other fishes) before migrating back to freshwater island habitats.
Primary Diet: carnivore (Piscivore , Eats eggs, Eats non-insect arthropods, Molluscivore ); herbivore ; omnivore ; planktivore
Gobies are extremely important in almost any ecosystem they occupy because their relative abundance makes them an essential part of the food chain. Gobies have the greatest impact on the benthic environment since most reside there. Gobies may be the keystone species (dominant in the food chain) in the freshwaters of small oceanic islands because they are often one of the few species of fish that exist in these areas.
Ecosystem Impact: keystone species ; parasite
Species Used as Host:
Mutualist Species:
No specific information was found concerning any negative impacts to humans.
Currently 212 genera and 1,875 species are recognized, making gobies the largest marine fish family and the most species-rich family of vertebrates. Gobies and blennies combined make up a dominant portion of the small fish inhabiting benthic tropical reefs around the world. Additionally, gobies are usually the most abundant freshwater fish on oceanic islands. This group is so poorly known due to their cryptic and secretive nature that 10 to 20 new species are described each year, making them the marine family with the greatest number of newly described species. The range of morphology, behavior, habitat and reproductive strategies within this family is undeniably impressive.
In most gobies, eggs hatch in one to five days and grow rapidly within a few days. At hatching the larvae are quite advanced with pigmented eyes, well-developed jaws, digestive tracts, and vertical fin folds. The small transparent larvae (between 2 and 10 mm long) are usually dispersed in the water column where they swim for three to 20 days. Finally, the larvae settle into a suitable habitat and develop colors that allow them to blend in with the surroundings. They reach sexual maturity within a few months. However, in temperate climates development may take much longer, with sexual maturity occurring after one to two years.
A notable exception to this developmental pattern (and there are likely many others) can be found in burrowing gobies. In this species, the male remains in a burrow, which is sealed shut by the female, for up to five days. During this time, the burrow is periodically reopened and the eggs cleaned by both male and female before the male is again sealed in the burrow. The eggs develop entirely within the burrow and only one juvenile apparently exits the burrow, suggesting that juveniles receive nourishment through cannibalism, as well as food reserves and their surroundings. Upon exiting, the juvenile immediately begins a benthic existence.
There are five critically endangered gobies, 18 listed as vulnerable, and 12 listed as low risk. Agricultural practices and the introduction of non-native species are some important causes for their decline. This is not surprising considering the diversity of this family and the fact that many are confined to a single lake or river system, or one or few islands. Some may go extinct before humans become aware of their existence.
There is considerable evidence that gobies use visual, tactile, chemical, auditory, or olfactory cues in reproduction and territorial behavior (see Reproduction and Behavior). It is quite likely that investigators will find more evidence of different types of communication as research progresses.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: pheromones
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical
The fossil history of gobies is from the Eocene epoch to present.
Gobies exhibit a wide variety of mating systems but most seem to be promiscuous, either organized into a hierarchical social system, such as Coryphopterus personatus, or small territories maintained by individuals, such as Coryphopterus glaucofrenum and Lythrypnus dalli. A typical mating sequence begins with nest preparation by the male, which involves clearing and cleaning the area where eggs will be deposited. In response, the ventral area of the female swells and the male proceeds to swim back and forth between the female and nest site and in some cases the male will nudge the female with its snout. The male may also make exaggerated swimming motions in place by anchoring himself with the sucking disc.
There is evidence of monogamy in some gobies (Ioglossus spp., Gobiodon spp., Valencienna spp., Gobiosoma spp., and Paragobiodon spp., among others) but some of these pairings are the result of fierce territorialism toward other members of the same sex, which confines mating to that individual. However, there is evidence that some gobies recognize mates as individuals (Elacatinus oceanops), possibly through olfactory cues. In fact, extensive research on frillfin gobies has revealed a complex suite of visual, chemical, auditory, and olfactory cues used in courting behavior. For instance, an ovarian pheromone produce by female frillfin gobies has been shown to elicit courtship in males, even if the female is not present. Male frillfin gobies have also been observed making a knocking sound to initiate courtship. An example of visual cues is well illustrated by the alamo’o, which is found in the Hawaiian Islands. In this species, the male attracts females by perching on a rock and waving its rear end, which is bright yellow, back and forth in the current. Although there are very few studies as extensive as these for all gobies it is likely that a mixture of visual, tactile, chemical, auditory, or olfactory cues will be found in other gobies as well.
Mating System: monogamous ; polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Most gobies have extended spawning seasons with peak spawning depending on the species, but in colder regions breeding may only occur once or twice a year. Females may deposit from five to several hundred eggs, which the male then fertilizes. Some gobies exhibit protogynous hermaphroditism, such as members of the genus Paragobiodon. Individuals may be found in pairs, trios, or male-dominated harems depending on the species. In Paragobiodon harems the largest individual is always the dominant male and the second largest the functional female, and sex change is socially controlled. Most likely, similar hermaphroditism will be found in other territorial and pair-forming gobies. In estuarine species the lunar cycle is thought to play a role in spawning behavior as well as larval recruitment.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sequential hermaphrodite (Protogynous ); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous
In most cases, male gobies guard the eggs after they are fertilized. The young probably stay close to adults for a period of time after hatching. Even if females are permanently paired, they rarely take part in parental care. In some freshwater island species parental care is not practiced at all. For instance, in the subfamily Sicydiinae the larvae are carried downstream to the ocean where they feed and grow before ascending the freshwater streams.
Parental Investment: male parental care
Analogues: (VMS4: jaw angle, thorax, anal fin, caudal peduncle) The basic larval melanophore patterns on the sand gobies are shared with a number of other gobies, although, in general, these others do not have equal numbers of dorsal and anal-fin elements as do most of the sand goby species. Coryphopterus personatus larvae do have the equal numbers of fin elements, but are missing the melanophores at the jaw angle and at the caudal-fin base and have a larger eye. Larval Lythrypnus appear quite similar, but have 10/9, are shorter and wider, have fewer procurrent caudal-fin rays, and transition at a smaller size. Lophogobius cyprinoides may share the VMS4 pattern, but have 10/9 and fewer procurrent caudal-fin rays. Bathygobius larvae have 10/9 and VMS4, but have distinctive internal melanophores not present on larval Coryphopterus The seven-spined gobies with similar larvae do not have the jaw angle melanophores and the caudal peduncle streak extends only halfway to the caudal fin.
Diagnosis: A larval type with D-?,10 A-9. Unfortunately, the 10/9 fin-ray count is the most common formula for Caribbean gobies and there are many candidates for this larval type. The basic melanophore pattern, i.e. a melanophore at the angle of the jaw, a row along the anal-fin base continuing to the start of the lower procurrent caudal-fin rays and melanophores at the base of most of the lower segmented caudal-fin rays, is shared with larval Barbulifer ceuthoecus and the six-spined Coryphopterus. The body shape of this larval type, however, does not match the Coryphopterus. In most features, this larval type fits with what would be expected for immature B. ceuthoecus larvae, i.e. the pattern of melanophores (especially the post-pelvic Y), the small round eye, the flattened head shape with a very broad mouth, and the relatively wide caudal peduncle. However, the melanophore just forward of the vent on the abdominal promontory is not found on other B. ceuthoecus larvae, and this larval type is therefore described separately (pending intermediate individuals or DNA sequencing). Barbulifer antennatus is not reported from Panama, but cannot be excluded.
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Group 5: divided pelvic-fin gobies .
These two large genera include many of the abundant small gobies ubiquitous on and around Caribbean reefs. They share six first-dorsal-fin spines and 9, 10, or 11 dorsal and anal-fin elements. The larvae of these gobies are typically small and lightly marked, usually with only a ventral midline series of melanophores (at the isthmus, pelvic-fin base, anal-fin base and caudal peduncle). The larvae of this group and the seven-spined short-fin gobies (Group 3) can appear similar; although, with the characters discussed here, they should all be able to be identified, at least to genus.
The large genus Coryphopterus dominates this group of gobies and accounts for the vast majority of gobies one sees on a Caribbean coral reef. The largest group within Coryphopterus are the sand gobies. These fishes can be found perching on the bottom along the sandy edges of hard substrate, seemingly everywhere except in the most turbid or muddy environments. The sand gobies are particularly difficult to identify to the species level in the field and, even when in the hand, careful examination of marking patterns is required to distinguish the species. This becomes even more difficult for smaller juveniles that have not developed their species-specific marking patterns. The other group of Coryphopterus, the hovering masked and glass gobies, are also very abundant, although more reef-associated. They are found in large groups just off the bottom on almost every coral reef in the region.
The Lythrypnus gobies are much less conspicuous, but may also be quite abundant on reefs. Their larvae can be difficult to separate from those of Coryphopterus
The small lightly-marked goby larvae account for a major fraction of larval collections in the region. They are superficially quite similar, sharing the ventral midline markings and an otherwise unremarkable appearance. Before counting fin rays, the basic appearance of the larvae can distinguish the three most common genera. The larvae below are from a typical collection: Coryphopterus personatus in the middle, Lythrypnus nesiotes below, and Microgobius signatus above. The body shape of each is distinctive: Coryphopterus larvae tend to be hunched-over, Lythrypnus are usually not hunched-over and have a slightly wider body with a shorter caudal peduncle, and larval Microgobius are long and straight with a blunted upward-facing mouth and a sharply-tapering caudal peduncle.
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Group 5: divided pelvic-fin gobies .
Barbulifer, Risor, Ginsburgellus, Gobiosoma, Elacatinus, and Tigrigobius
This group includes many of the small gobies on and around Caribbean reefs that live well-hidden around coral structure or inside sponges. Most are inconspicuous and rarely noticed on the reef. The main exception is the group of cleaner gobies that live on prominent coral heads and sponges and remove parasites from passing fishes. They need to advertise and typically have bright blue or yellow stripes on a black background. Interestingly, a set of related sponge gobies share the colored stripe, but do not apparently clean other fishes; the reason for their colors could either be to receive some protection from the relative immunity of cleaners from predation (mimicry) or advertise the fact that they produce noxious chemicals. The striped sponge gobies usually stay in their sponges and do not perch in conspicuous locations as do the cleaners. A group of small non-descript inshore, sometimes even freshwater, gobies are also in this group. The phylogenetic relationships are not resolved and some species have been shuttled around into various genera over the years. The most recent change has been the returning of the non-cleaner/sponge gobies of Elacatinus back to Tigrigobius, where they form a cohesive grouping.
The larvae of Group 3 gobies are typically very small and lightly marked, usually with only a few ventral midline melanophores or often just a single post-anal-fin spot. The basic shortfin meristics (usually 8-11 second-dorsal and anal-fin elements) and general appearance are shared by some larvae of the six-spined standard gobies of Group 2 and the two groups can be a challenge to separate when the dorsal-fin spines are not easily apparent. Similarly, some of the divided pelvic-fin gobies, Group 5, have larvae that are similar in size, shape, and markings to the Group 3 gobies and they also can be difficult to distinguish when the state of the pelvic fins is not obvious. The few Group 3 gobies with 13 second dorsal-fin elements overlap the lower range of fin counts of the longfin gobies of Group 4, but have a quite different body shape and larval appearance. Only the occasional Gobiosoma from US waters have counts that high, but they notably have no more than 11 anal-fin elements.
The larval eleotrid Dormitator maculatus has a similar general appearance and shares most of the markings, including the abdominal promontory and jaw angle melanophores, but the abdominal midline streak extends to the level of the swimbladder (shared with the other eleotrid species) and there is no internal melanophore around the gut near the vent. Some immature larvae of the long gobies, such as Microgobius superficially resemble this type, but have many more median-fin rays and very short caudal peduncles and are usually longer than 8 mm SL. Immature Bollmannia boqueronensis larvae may resemble this type, but have more median-fin rays and a much larger irregular eye, along with additional melanophores.
Description: Body relatively thick, long, and narrow with a medium round eye and a terminal large wide mouth. Head broad and slightly flattened. Dorsal and anal-fin bases short, caudal peduncle relatively wide and long and procurrent caudal-fin rays 8-9 (8 spindly). Lightly marked, mostly along the ventral midline: at the isthmus, along the pelvic-fin insertion and extending onto the abdominal midline, often with a clear Y-shape diverging from the pelvic-fin insertion (post-pelvic Y), then often a melanophore on the abdominal promontory just forward of the vent, followed by paired melanophores along the anal-fin base and then a row (or streak) extending along the caudal peduncle ending near the start of the procurrent caudal-fin rays. Melanophores are present on the base of most of the lower caudal-fin segmented rays. Melanophores on the head are limited to the angle of the jaw. There are internal melanophores along the dorsal surface of the swim bladder and around the gut near the vent.
Goby 1125 larva
Goby 1125 larvae
The gobies are the largest family of reef fishes and account for a major fraction of the world's tropical marine fish fauna. There are well over a hundred Caribbean species, and doubtless a few more to be described. In addition, there are numerous cryptic species among the gobies in the western Atlantic (populations with sharply divergent DNA sequences that are usually allopatric, but can be sympatric). Although almost always small and inconspicuous, gobies occur in large numbers in all reef-associated habitats. There are over 30 regional genera and, unfortunately, many groupings of closely related species that make species-level larval identifications particularly challenging. I have managed to identify and include in this guide the larvae of almost all of the shallow-water goby genera of the region; a few deep-water genera remain unknown.
The great taxonomic diversity of gobies is certainly reflected in their early life history stages. Larval gobies exhibit the full range of larval sizes at transition, from about 4 mm to almost 30 mm SL. In general, however, they are small and nondescript with a long, narrow, and thin body. They tend to have small to medium-sized terminal mouths, small heads without spines, and slender flexible spines in the fins. They can be recognized most readily by their two separated dorsal fins with the first having only a few spindly spines. In addition, they often have fused pelvic fins and typically light markings. The basic marking pattern for goby larvae is a ventral midline series of melanophores: at the isthmus, pelvic-fin base, anal-fin base, and caudal peduncle, along with a variety of other small melanophores. Some larval gobies also have markedly narrowed and tilted eyes. Since Caribbean goby genera are often quite speciose and the larvae only become distinct during transition or even later, some groups will certainly require DNA testing for the identification of individual larvae to the species level.
Since there are too many Caribbean species to deal with on one webpage, the goby family needs to be subdivided, a task that has tested more than a few fish taxonomists and can be quite frustrating. A variety of divisions have been proposed in the past, none of which have been satisfactory and certainly none have been backed up by strong phylogenetic evidence. Gobies are highly variable in morphology and genetics and deep phylogenies so far are quite elusive. Suffice to say, some traditional separations based on the state of fusion of the pelvic fins and the presence or absence of pores and scales are not reflective of true relationships. Indeed, the state of the pelvic fins can be variable among larvae of obviously close relatives. The evolutionary loss of pores and scales is an individual adaptation and not likely a shared attribute among relatives. Larval markings in gobies are often sparse and the basic patterns are generally shared by unrelated groupings and do not fall out in manageable blocks. Since genetic relatedness is an unwieldy method to subdivide larval forms in a group this complex, I have tried to arrange the groups in a form that makes it easier to navigate. The basic separations I use are six vs. seven first-dorsal-fin spines, the short and long-fin groups, i.e. the increasing number of median-fin rays, and the fusion state of the pelvic fins. The number of dorsal-fin spines, six vs. seven, is not always easy to see on larvae, but is consistent enough to be useful and seems a natural separation among gobies. The number of dorsal and anal-fin soft rays is somewhat consistent within similar-appearing larvae and the "long-fin" gobies with more than 11 second-dorsal and anal-fin elements are usually easy to distinguish from the "short-fin" gobies, typically with 9, 10, or 11 second-dorsal and anal-fin elements. Lastly, although pelvic-fin states can be phylogenetically labile, the state of fusion is often an obvious visible attribute of goby larvae and the division of the pelvic fins seems to be a characteristic of a set of goby species as well as the allied gobioids, the eleotrids and ptereleotrids.
Analogues: (light markings with anal fin plus caudal peduncle row) Within the diverse anal fin plus caudal peduncle row group, there are many very similar larval types. Two of the most common gobiid larval genera share this basic marking pattern, including the melanophore at the angle of the jaw: Lythrypnus (without the caudal-fin melanophores) and Coryphopterus (both six-spined). A few Elacatinus are the only seven-spined gobies to share the anal-fin-caudal peduncle row of melanophores, but, as a rule, they do not have the melanophore at the angle of the jaw. All three of the aforementioned groups are typically wider-bodied and do not share the flattened head appearance and broad mouth of this larval type. Furthermore, their eyes are either narrowed vertical ovals or large and round, without the smaller slightly flattened eye exhibited by this larval type. They do not share the post-pelvic Y marking and only a rare Coryphopterus specimen exhibits an abdominal promontory melanophore. Typical Barbulifer ceuthoecus larvae are larger, usually more than 9 mm SL, and thicker (but may represent the mature version of this larval type).
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Group 2: six-spined shortfin gobies 2 .
Group 3: seven-spined shortfin gobies .
Group 4: longfin gobies .
Group 5: divided pelvic-fin gobies .
Bathygobius, Lophogobius, Priolepis, Awaous, and Sicydium
This group of six-spined gobies with short median fins and fused pelvic fins includes several unrelated genera of gobies, including tidepool, reef, and fresh-water species. Although common in their appropriate habitats, this group of gobies are not usually observed or photographed on reefs. The abundant reef and sand gobies of Coryphopterus and Lythrypnus are separated for convenience and treated in Group 2.
The large goby genus Coryphopterus contains numerous species in the Caribbean, several of which are particularly difficult to distinguish, sometimes even as adults. The results of my barcode (mtDNA) sequencing for this group show that many of the important characters used to separate adults do not apply to larvae or juveniles. Since the basic markings and morphology of the early stages are shared by many of the species in the group, DNA sequencing is likely the only reliable way to distinguish species for most larvae and some juveniles.
One of the primary causes of the difficulty in identifying juveniles and adults of Coryphopterus species in the western Atlantic is the extreme variability in the degree of dark markings with habitat. All of the sand gobies have lightly-marked forms on white sand in clear water and heavily-marked forms on darker sediments in more turbid waters, particularly along continental coastlines. This variation can become extreme in several species (C. tortugae, C. bol, C. eidolon, and C. thrix), with some individuals showing almost no dark markings at all. These super-pallid individuals can be impossible to identify to species without DNA sequencing. On the other hand, heavily-marked populations of some typically pallid species, for example C. eidolon, have not been recognized as conspecific and are typically assigned to other species in museum collections.
An additional problem when using the literature and field-guides for identifications is the presence of heretofore cryptic species in the common 10/10 sand-perching bridled-goby group, i.e. the recently twice-redescribed "pallid" bridled goby C. tortugae and a new more-offshore species C. bol (Victor 2008). These species are presently lumped by most observers as variants of the bridled goby C. glaucofraenum. To avoid confusion, I propose that C. glaucofraenum retain the original "bridled goby" common name, while C. tortugae should be called the "patch-reef goby" and C. bol should be called the "sand-canyon goby", after their distinctive habitats.
Most of the characters traditionally used to separate sand gobies do not apply to juvenile or larval stages. For example, the morphology of the pelvic fin is one of the more important taxonomic characters separating the regional Coryphopterus species. The degree of joining of the pelvic fins, the relative length of the innermost ray, and the presence or absence of the pelvic frenum are diagnostic for some adult Coryphopterus (the pelvic-fin frenum is the anterior membrane running from spine to spine that forms the fin into a sucking disk). My DNA barcoding results, however, reveal that pelvic-fin characters do not apply to larvae, recruits, or even small juveniles of several species. For example, the species with divided pelvic fins have fused pelvic fins as larvae and small juveniles (i.e. C. alloides, C. personatus, C. hyalinus, and C. lipernes). The pelvic frenum can be present in juveniles of species that later do not have one (C. dicrus) and the innermost pelvic-fin rays do not become distinctly shorter or longer until well after the transitional stage.
Transitional sand gobies can develop their metamorphic melanophores in differing sequences, leading to a proliferation of transitional larval types that certainly represent the same species. At least some of this variation may reflect the marked variability in the degree of markings with habitat types, with lightly-marked juveniles living on white sand and those on darker backgrounds or more turbid waters being heavily-marked. The light marking may occur in larvae as well, where a significant portion of individuals are missing the melanophores on the caudal-fin base and/or the dorsal caudal peduncle. If these patterns prove to occur within the same species, it raises a very interesting question whether larvae have pre-determined which habitat to settle onto or the trait is flexible.
species: #dorsal/#anal-fin elements #pectoral rays (pelvic-fin form), sand or other goby
10/10 group (widespread and abundant species) C. glaucofraenum: Randall: 10/10 pect 17-20 Bohlke: 10/10, rare 9 pect 17-20 usu 19 C. tortugae: Acero: 10/10 pect 18-20 C. bol: Victor 2008: 10/10 pect 18-20 C. eidolon: Randall: 10 (11 is a typo)/9-10, mode 10 pect 19-20, rare 18 Bohlke: 10/10, rare 9 pect 19-20 C. thrix: Bohlke: 9-10/10 pect 17-19 C. dicrus: Randall: 10/10 pect 18-20 Bohlke: 10/10 pect 18-20 11 group (localized endemics) C. punctipectophorus: Bohlke: 11/10 pect 18-20 (South Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico) C. venezuelae: Cervigon: 11/11 pect 18-20 (NE Venezuela: Cubagua, Isla Margarita, and Cumana) fewer than 10 (widespread, but notably uncommon) C. kuna: 9/9 pect 15 C. alloides: 10/9 Bohlke: 10, rare 9/9, rare 8 pect 16-17 (divided pelvic fins)
C. lipernes: 10/10 pect 16-18 (divided pelvic fins) C. hyalinus: 10/10 pect 14-16 (divided pelvic fins) C. personatus: Randall: 11/11 pect 14-16 (occ. 10/10) Bohlke: 10-11, mode 11/10-11, mode 11 pect 14-16 (divided pelvic fins)
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Group 4: longfin gobies .
Psilotris, Varicus, Chriolepis, Pycnomma, Gobulus, (and Robinsichthys)
Although gobies are known for having fused pelvic fins, often in the shape of a sucking disk, several goby genera have divided pelvic fins to various degrees. The division can be partial or full, although the bases of the split pelvic fins are usually in contact. This character is shared by the related gobioids of the families Eleotridae and the similar appearing (but not gobioids) Ptereleotridae, which have pelvic fins that are separate, even at the base.
In some gobies, the divided pelvic fins are clearly acquired after the larval phase. For example, Coryphopterus personatus larvae have fused pelvic fins despite the fact that juveniles and adults have separated pelvic fins. A closeup photograph of the pelvic fin of a 7.6 mm SL larval C. personatus at right clearly shows the connecting membrane. Series of transforming larvae show variable states of fusion of the pelvic fins. It should be noted, however, that the majority of larvae in the collections have frayed fins and the state of fusion cannot be evaluated. This is especially the case for the difficult genus Coryphopterus, where the pelvic-fin morphology is, unfortunately, an important species-level character.
Other larval gobies, such as Gobulus myersi and Psilotris amblyrhynchus, can have partially-fused pelvic fins. G. myersi is an interesting contrast to larval C. personatus in that it shows the opposite sequence of pelvic fin morphological changes: it starts as a partially-divided fin in larvae (left) and subsequently fuses in adults.
The only six-dorsal-spined species with divided pelvic fins are a sub-group of Coryphopterus (C. alloides, C. lipernes, C. personatus, and C. hyalinus). It is likely that the pelvic fins of all of these species are not divided in pre-transitional larvae.
The seven-dorsal-spined group with divided pelvic fins is quite heterogeneous (with some rare and obscure deep-water taxa), comprising Psilotris, Varicus, Chriolepis, and the individual species Pycnomma roosevelti and very deep Robinsichthys arrowsmithensis.
Three Caribbean goby species have partially-divided pelvic fins (all seven-dorsal-spined): Gobulus myersi, Psilotris amblyrhynchus, and Gobiosoma grosvenori. The latter is a member of the large genus Gobiosoma with otherwise fused pelvic fins and thus it is unclear whether the larvae should be expected to show any division in the pelvic fins. Gobulus myersi adults have fused pelvic fins without a frenum, but larvae clearly fitting this species have partially-divided pelvic fins (D-VII,11-12 A-10-11). Two of the three other Gobulus species have partially-divided pelvic fins as adults (all in the eastern Pacific), and thus the fused pelvic fin in adult G. myersi may be a derived character. In contrast, adult Psilotris have divided pelvic fins and the presence of partially-fused pelvic fins in larvae of Psilotris amblyrhynchus may indicate that divided pelvic fins are a derived character in that genus.
In the genus Psilotris, P. batrachodes has the fewest fin rays with modal D-9 A-7 Pect 16; P. alepis has D-9-10-11 A-8-9 Pect 15, P. celsa (originally "Psilotris celsus") has D-9-11 A-9-10-11 Pect 16-17-19, P. boehlkei has D-10-11 A-10 Pect 16-18, and P. kaufmani has D-11 A-10-11 Pect 16-18-19. P. amblyrhynchus has D-11-12 A-10-11 Pect 17-19. Psilotris are scaleless.
Pycnomma roosevelti has a similar general appearance and a modal fin-ray count of D-10 A-9 Pect 16 (and later develops scales). (Gobiosoma grosvenori also has modal D-10 A-9 (and Pect 17) but is from a fused-fin genus and has only partially-divided pelvic fins and a small pelvic frenum and a very different body shape.)
Chriolepis and Varicus are rare, obscure, and mostly deep-water gobies that typically have divided and long pelvic fins and large eyes. The species comprise Chriolepis fisheri (the only relatively shallow water species (can be found in sand tilefish mounds); D-11-12 A-10-11 Pect 17-18, with two large spiny basicaudal scales), Chriolepis benthonis (over 150m, Gulf of Mexico, D-9 A-8 Pect 16), Chriolepis bilix (described in 2013, over 60m, widespread, D-12 A-11-12 Pect 19-20), and Chriolepis vespa (deep, Gulf of Mexico, D-10 A-7-9 Pect 15-17). The related genus Varicus differs by having unbranched pelvic-fin rays and comprises Varicus bucca (very deep-water, D-9-10 A-8 Pect 16-19), Varicus marilynae (deep-water, Florida, D-9 A-8 Pect 16-18), and V. imswe (deep-water, Belize, with pelvic fins extending beyond the anal-fin origin and D-8 A-8 Pect 14-15). A profoundly deep-water goby, Robinsichthys arrowsmithensis, has D-VII,11 A-11 and is distinctive with 22-23 pectoral-fin rays.
Return to Goby Introduction
Group 5: divided pelvic fin gobies .
Evermannichthys, Evorthodus, Ctenogobius, Gnatholepis, Nes, Bollmannia, Gobionellus, Gobioides, Microgobius, and Palatogobius
Gobies with 12 or more dorsal and anal-fin rays have a generally different look from the short-fin gobies; they are more likely to have a long tapering body and a relatively short caudal peduncle. Although uncommonly encountered by divers, these gobies are abundant on sand and silt bottoms near reefs and in brackish waters along the coast. One species, the Goldspot Goby Gnatholepis thompsoni, is commonly seen on the reef. The long-fin gobies mostly comprise those species that live on soft substrates, often in holes, and sometimes with symbiotic shrimp partners. The high number of fin rays and long narrow bodies are likely adaptations to hole-dwelling. Their larvae are typically lightly marked and relatively small, thin, and long. Those species with characteristically blunt heads and subterminal mouths have larvae with pointed snouts and terminal mouths which undergo marked head-shape changes at transition.
Most of the Coryphopterus species are sand gobies, i.e. small sand-perching gobies with pale bodies and a set of dark stripes and spots. There are numerous species and larvae cannot confidently be identified to the species level without DNA sequencing. Fin-ray counts can distinguish the sand goby species with fewer or more than 10 dorsal and anal-fin elements, but many of the species and the vast majority of specimens share the 10/10 fin-ray count. The non-sand species comprise C. lipernes, a colorful coral-dwelling species, and C. personatus and C. hyalinus, both colorful hovering gobies that school in groups over corals and sponges. The sand and non-sand species are similar as larvae and share a suite of larval characters, but can be distinguished.
Description: Body relatively thin, long and narrow with a large eye and a terminal mouth. Paired fins medium to long at transition, dorsal and anal-fin bases relatively short, caudal peduncle long and narrow, procurrent caudal-fin rays 7-10 (7-8 spindly). Lightly marked mostly along the lower body: melanophores on the ventral midline at the isthmus and the pelvic-fin insertion (usually streaks). Rare variants have a melanophore on the abdominal midline promontory just forward of the vent. There is a row of melanophores along the anal-fin base, usually five, paired and one per side between the third and eighth element (often merged into a streak on each side). Then, after a space, there is a row of midline melanophores, usually seven or eight unpaired (but often merged into a streak) extending along the ventral caudal peduncle ending near the start of the procurrent caudal-fin rays. Melanophores are typically present on the base of several (usually 4 or 5) of the lower segmented caudal-fin rays extending up to halfway out along the rays. The majority of larvae have one (often none or two, occasionally three or four) melanophores on the dorsal midline just after the last dorsal-fin ray (proportions vary greatly between collections). Some have an additional small melanophore off-center of the dorsal midline near the base of some of the mid-soft-dorsal-fin rays. Many (all?) have melanophores on the distal membranes between the anal-fin rays, usually between the second and sixth elements. Internal melanophores are present at the base of the saccule and often above the saccule and sometimes several around the rear braincase, along the dorsal surface of the swim bladder, and around the gut near the vent. Most individuals have a melanophore at the angle of the jaw, however less-developed larvae are often missing them (but they do have caudal-fin melanophores, separating them from C. personatus).
Early-stage larvae before the completion of all of the fin elements have a dorsal and ventral indentation in the iris, with some later-stage larvae retaining a dorsal indentation in the iris. Series of transitional larvae show development of the eye from a moderately-narrowed vertical oval, often somewhat squared-off, with a small posterior-inferior extension of the iris, to round. The extension has no surface melanophores overlying it, or, at most, a single small melanophore at the dorsal edge (vs. C. personatus, see comparative photograph under C. personatus). Rare individuals show abnormal enlargements of this extension (interestingly, often several in the same collection). There is often a prominently speckled "eyebrow" membrane over the upper half and posterior of the eyeball that appears detached from the pigmented iris below.
Although the length of the pelvic rays are an important character as adults, larvae and juveniles typically have the innermost pelvic-fin ray slightly shorter or about equal in length to the next ray. The pelvic frenum is not usually visible, but may develop on all juveniles in the group (see C. dicrus). Larvae have fused pelvic fins, and the species with divided pelvic fins likely develop the division after transition (unknown for C. alloides, but confirmed for C. lipernes and C. personatus).
Goby larvae are typically the most abundant larvae collected in most reef fish larval collections, both in diversity and often in total numbers. Indeed, Ctenogobius saepepallens, the dash goby, is the most frequently occurring larval type in my Panama collections, followed closely by the bridled gobies, Coryphopterus spp.
Since the process of elimination is critical to the identification of larval gobies, the diversity within this group makes for some difficulty in species ID. A variety of other factors add to the complexity of identifying goby larvae:
The larval melanophore patterns within the family tend to be conservative, with many larval types sharing a sparse basic pattern of a ventral midline series of melanophores: at the isthmus, pelvic-fin base, anal-fin base, and caudal peduncle. Melanophore patterns can be quite variable within types- many individuals, especially earlier-stage larvae, are missing one or a few of the standard complement for their type.
Melanophores can be contracted, appearing as discrete dots, or expanded into either complex dendritic star-shapes or linear forms. Linear melanophores often merge with adjacent melanophores into long streaks. In addition, the intensity of melanophores can vary a great deal, with many preserved larvae showing faint or indistinct melanophore patterns (in some species this variation is
The soft fin-ray counts often vary by at least one or two in Caribbean gobies, unlike many other reef fish families that have very conservative fin-ray formulas. In addition, the reported modal fin-ray counts from different sources in the literature can sometimes vary, usually by one ray. Nevertheless, modal fin-ray counts are critical to species diagnosis.
The oft-used character of six vs. seven spines in the first dorsal fin is sometimes difficult to see (since the seventh spine is tiny). Although it is often not that useful for practical screening of larvae, the number of spines can be very useful for genus diagnosis, separating genera with otherwise similar appearances and fin-ray counts. There is some variation in dorsal spine counts; but it is helpful to recognize that six-spined gobies usually have five close spines and then a distant sixth, while seven-spined gobies have five close spines and then two more spaced out farther. Thus some of the variants can be recognized as anomalous (i.e. four close and two spaced out is likely a variant seven-spined goby).
A common problem is that some literature sources count total dorsal-fin spines and total dorsal-fin soft-rays, confusing whether the spine count is including the first, often spinous, element of the second soft dorsal fin. It is best to count total elements in the second-dorsal and anal fins to avoid this problem (and the issue of whether the first element of the second-dorsal fin and anal fin in some gobies is spinous or soft, which... surprise, can also vary).
Larval gobies tend to initiate transformation from larval to juvenile phase (also transition, or metamorphosis) while still pelagic and many transitional individuals can be collected in waters over the reef. Indeed, in some collections, the majority of specimens are in transition. As a result, larval goby samples can often include a surprisingly wide range of morphological appearances.
Head Shape: The head shape of transitional gobies varies greatly. Pre-transformation goby larvae usually have thin pointed heads with terminal mouths. As they initiate transformation, the head usually thickens and the snout often becomes more rounded. In those species with blunt head-profiles, this change can be marked and the mouth can move subterminally. (photographs below of larval Gobionellus oceanicus transitional series)
Eye Shape: The eye shape can change radically during transition and the process is somewhat consistent within larval types. Both the shape itself and the size at which the changes are observed can be an important character for species identification. As larvae initiate transformation, narrowed eyes become round, tilted eyes become vertical, and in some species the eye becomes markedly larger (in a few it gets smaller, e.g. larval Nes longus). Eye shapes can thus be valuable for inferring the stage of goby larvae, i.e. in a species with narrowed eyes in pre-transitional larvae, the presence of round eyes in a small individual indicates that it is in transition. This becomes particularly useful in practical larval sorting where the size at which larvae develop round eyes can be an important character, as in Lythrypnus vs. Coryphopterus. (photograph at right of transitional changes in the eyes of larval Lythrypnus nesiotes)
Body Shape: The body of pre-transitional larvae is typically thin and becomes thicker and bulkier at transition. This change needs to be distinguished from effects of condition of larvae. Clearly some emaciated larvae appear very thin and narrow. This appearance can be found in some larvae with round eyes and even metamorphic melanophores, indicating that they are not just immature early-stage larvae.
The fins of those species who develop long pectoral and pelvic fins as juveniles show a marked increase in the length of these fins at transition. In a few cases, where juveniles have a characteristically short fin, that fin length may decrease at transformation.
There is variation in the timing of changes in the early life history of gobies; some larval gobies develop transitional morphological changes, especially rounded eyes and blunted snouts, before acquiring any transitional markings, as in the larval Lythrypnus at right. In contrast, it is common with larval gobies to see individuals of the same species and in the same collection that have started to develop metamorphic melanophores while still morphologically in mid-transition, at least in body and head shape. However, the eyes of larval gobies almost always start rounding before transitional markings develop; it is exceptionally rare to see a larva with dense metamorphic melanophore patches and narrow eyes. Two larvae at the ends of the spectrum easily look like they could be different species.
Metamorphic Melanophores: These arrays of additional melanophores (along with leukophores and iridophores) are usually smaller and limited to the skin surface, compared to the large, discrete, and often deeply-penetrating larval melanophores. In many other reef fish families, the metamorphic melanophores are typically in dense patches that often begin on the head and develop posteriorly following the pattern of the juvenile markings of the species. In gobies, however, the size difference of the melanophores is less obvious, and metamorphic melanophores can often be just as large as larval melanophores and are distinguished mostly by their graded appearance, i.e. the accumulation of more markings in a pattern starting around the mouth and head, then at the caudal peduncle and dorsal midline, and then filling in from forward to rear (photographs below of a transitional series of Bathygobius soporator). This phenomenon helps a great deal in providing missing links for species IDs, but also contributes to the confusing variety in the appearance of larval types. This is especially the case when the metamorphic melanophores can show up in very different sequences, as is common in larval Coryphopterus glaucofraenum.
Of course there is some variation in the size of larvae within a species. There can be two sources of this variation and distinguishing between them is important.
One is the simple size increase with growth and development during the early life history: younger and less-developed larvae are smaller than older ready-to-settle larvae. This variation can be detected by the well-known ontogenetic landmarks to be expected with growth, i.e. first the flexion of the notochord, then the full development of the fin-ray elements and finally the eye and head shape changes as settlement approaches. Among the late-stage larvae collected over reefs, almost all have passed the flexion stage and have developed their full complement of fin rays. The subsequent body and eye-shape changes and the degree of development of metamorphic melanophores are the features that vary most in these settlement-stage larvae.
The second source of variation is individual variation in size at the same stage of development. This variation can be large in gobies, and, of course, the observed range increases with sample size. This variation can be confusing, and the occasional extreme size variant can look like a different species entirely. For example, the photograph at right shows the extreme one percent variation in size at transformation for the common Coryphopterus glaucofraenum larval type. Note that these are all transitional larvae that have already developed round eyes. The larval sizes in the photograph range from 5.1 to 8.6 mm SL, but 90% of the larvae of this species that I have collected are concentrated between 6.5 and 7.3 mm SL.
Larval eye morphology
Larval gobies of different species and different stages of development exhibit a remarkable variety of shapes of the eyeball, most often a narrow vertical oval but, in some species, irregular or even squared. These eye shapes, along with other eye-related morphological features, likely reflect adaptations to the pelagic world of reef fish larvae, either to degrees of darkness or differing wavelengths of light. Fortunately, these shapes tend to be consistent within species and can be used as characters to help identify larvae.
The primary variations are in eyeball shape, most often a narrowed vertical oval, but sometimes squared or another irregular shape. The oval sometimes can show a pronounced tilt, usually forward, but sometimes backward. The direction of the tilt is not always consistent within larval types, for example larval Evorthodus lyricus commonly show tilts both forward and backward (this is true to a lesser degree for larval parrotfishes, family Scaridae, as well as the wrasses of family Labridae). As a rule, the eyes of larval gobies become fully round at the end of the settlement transition.
In addition, there can be indentations in the iris, usually, but not always, dorsal and/or ventral. Many very early-stage larvae of all kinds of fishes show these indentations as part of the development of the eyeball, but in larval gobies these indentations can persist, sometimes through transition. Persistent indentations in various quadrants of the iris can be a consistent character for certain larval types. The photograph below left shows a persistent dorsal iris indentation in a 9.6 mm SL transitional larva of Ctenogobius saepepallens. The photograph below right shows a 5.5 mm SL Bathygobius curacao larva with persistent off-center-axis dorsal and ventral indentations of the iris despite being in transition.
Another occasional feature of the eyeball of larval gobies is the presence of an additional speckled membrane overlying the black surface of the upper iris. This feature is mostly consistent within larval types and can thus aid in identifications. In several larval goby types, this membrane is visibly lifted off from the eyeball. In some species the speckled membrane is only along the top quarter of the eyeball, while in others it extends further down, usually overlying the posterior half of the iris. At right, the oblong-shaped eyeball of a 7.2 mm SL larval Coryphopterus glaucofraenum shows the distinctly speckled membrane overlying the upper and rear of the iris.
A very common feature in the eyes of larval gobies is an extension of the shiny iris in the posterior-inferior quadrant. The extension appears to have a more flattened appearance than the rest of the iris. In some larval types this extension is quite prominent. Some rare individuals show clearly abnormal outgrowths of the eyeball in this same quadrant, perhaps a developmental anomaly related to whatever might be the function of this extension. The photograph at left shows a 6.9 mm SL larval Coryphopterus glaucofraenum with the abnormal outgrowth.
A rare feature in some larval gobies is a bizarre outgrowth of tissue from the eyeball into the adjacent compartments of the head. Interestingly, in Microgobius signatus this can occur in several individuals in the same collection, suggesting that whatever is causing the anomaly may be an environmental effect. The photograph below shows the head of an 8.0 mm larval Microgobius signatus.
Gobies are perhaps best known for their fused pelvic fins that act as a sucking disk to anchor them to the substrate. The degree of fusion of the pelvic fins and the overall shape of the disk are important characters in gobioid taxonomy, although the feature is certainly far more labile than taxonomists would desire. Unfortunately the degree of concordance between larvae and adults in pelvic-fin morphology is still an open question. In my collections, it is clear that the presence or absence of divided pelvic fins can differ between larval and adult stages, as in Coryphopterus personatus.
There are several basic states of pelvic-fin morphology in larval gobies. The pelvic fins on the right and left can be completely separate, with the base of the innermost fin ray clearly separated by a space from the base of the ray on the other side. This state is typical of most fishes (including the gobioid sleepers of the family Eleotridae), but is quite uncommon in gobies. The pelvic fins can be divided down to the base, or only partially-divided, leaving the proximal innermost fin rays still fused (as in larval Gobulus myersi, pictured at left). Alternatively, the pelvic fins can be completely fused along the length of the rays; this is the most
common condition among the larval gobies. Lastly, within the completely-fused pelvic-fin group, there can be a frenum, or anterior connecting band, joining the outermost pelvic-fin spines on the two sides to form a cup-shaped fin. This cup can be flat and inconspicuous, as in the 9.9 mm SL larval Ctenogobius saepepallens at right, or an obvious large sucking disk as in the 7.7 mm SL larval Elacatinus saucrus pictured at the top of this section.
Die Dikkoppe (Gobiidae) is 'n visfamilie wat tot die orde Perciformes behoort. Hierdie familie het die meeste spesies van enige visfamilie, en omvat 230 genera met ongeveer 1 500 spesies. Een honderd en elf van die spesies word aan die Suid-Afrikaanse kus aangetref. 'n Paar spesies word ook in varswater aangetref.
Die hele familie is klein bodemvisse wat alle moontlike vorms insluit: lank, kort, ovaalvormig met alle moontlike vinkombinasies. Die vorm van die kop sluit ook alle moontlikhede in: plat, breed, gepunt of versonke. Die oë is merendeels aan die bokant van die kop en die familie het geen sylyne nie. Die dorsale vinne bestaan normaalweg uit twee gedeeltes. Die bekkenvinne is naby mekaar en by sekere spesies is hulle aaneengeskakel. Die grootte wissel van 1 – 50 cm; die meeste spesies is kleiner as 8 cm.
Die familie is kleurryk en wend dit aan om hulself te kamoefleer waar hulle ook al voorkom; getypoele, seegrasbeddings, riviermondings, koraalriwwe, rotsriwwe en sanderige- of rotsbodems tot op 'n diepte van 200 m. Die familie vreet klein skaaldiere, slakke en wurms.
'n Paar van die dikkoppe leef kenmerkend in 'n simbiotiese verhouding met die amper blinde, knypende alpheid garnaal. Die garnaal sal 'n gat grawe en dit onderhou terwyl die dikkop die omgewing dophou en so die garnaal beskerm. Die garnaal hou een antenna op die dikkop, sodra die dikkop gevaar gewaar sal hy met een sweepslag van sy stert terug in die gat gaan en sodoende die garnaal waarsku. Beide seediere leef met hulle maats in die gat.
Die volgende genera en gepaardgaande spesies kom aan die Suid-Afrikaanse kus en riviere voor:
Die Dikkoppe (Gobiidae) is 'n visfamilie wat tot die orde Perciformes behoort. Hierdie familie het die meeste spesies van enige visfamilie, en omvat 230 genera met ongeveer 1 500 spesies. Een honderd en elf van die spesies word aan die Suid-Afrikaanse kus aangetref. 'n Paar spesies word ook in varswater aangetref.
Die Dikkoppe en Wurmvisse (Microdesmidae) is 'n vis-familie wat tot die orde Perciformes behoort. Die familie bestaan uit twee sub-families:
Die sub-familie staan bekend as die wurmvisse en bestaan uit vyf genera en dertig spesies wat in tropiese en subtropiese water van al die oseane van die wêreld voorkom.
Die subfamilie bestaan uit vyf genera en vier en veertig spesies. Twee van die genera en ses van die spesies kom aan die Suid-Afrikaanse kus voor. Die grootte wissel van 3 – 12 cm. Die sub-familie is lank en effens plat en was voorheen geklassifiseer onder die familie Gobiidae.
Die vis leef in getypoele en sanderige bodems naby riwwe en eet soöplankton.
Die volgende genera en spesies kom voor aan die Suid-Afrikaanse kus:
Die Dikkoppe en Wurmvisse (Microdesmidae) is 'n vis-familie wat tot die orde Perciformes behoort. Die familie bestaan uit twee sub-families:
Microdesminae PtereleotrinaeEl "pixapu" ye'l nome xeneral pol que se conoz a un greyu pergrande de pexes, los "Gobiidae", que tien al rodiu de 2000 especies conocíes y ta espardíu per tol mundu. Davezu nun son pexes d'un tamañu importante, sacante los del xéneru "Gobioides" qu'algamen los 30 centímetros de llonxitú. Magar que nun s'empleguen muncho na cocina, son un pegoyu nel bon desenrollu la pesca, al ser un cebu curiosu pa otros pexes (bacaláu, abadexu, llinguáu...).
Los pixapos habiten n'agües poco fondes, onde hebia yerbes marines. Tamién se los pue atopar pela llamarga na baxamar, nes ríes y nos furacos les roques.
El más espardíu peles costes cantábriques - y, per ende, al que propiamente se-y llama "pixapu" nel dominiu llingüísticu astur - ye'l "Gobius niger", pexe que, como'l so nome científicu amuesa, ye de color prieto. En Galicia y Portugal alcuéntrase más el "Gobius paganellus", que nun s'estrema enforma del pixapu cantábricu, sacante na color (castaño).
El "pixapu" ye'l nome xeneral pol que se conoz a un greyu pergrande de pexes, los "Gobiidae", que tien al rodiu de 2000 especies conocíes y ta espardíu per tol mundu. Davezu nun son pexes d'un tamañu importante, sacante los del xéneru "Gobioides" qu'algamen los 30 centímetros de llonxitú. Magar que nun s'empleguen muncho na cocina, son un pegoyu nel bon desenrollu la pesca, al ser un cebu curiosu pa otros pexes (bacaláu, abadexu, llinguáu...).
Los pixapos habiten n'agües poco fondes, onde hebia yerbes marines. Tamién se los pue atopar pela llamarga na baxamar, nes ríes y nos furacos les roques.
El más espardíu peles costes cantábriques - y, per ende, al que propiamente se-y llama "pixapu" nel dominiu llingüísticu astur - ye'l "Gobius niger", pexe que, como'l so nome científicu amuesa, ye de color prieto. En Galicia y Portugal alcuéntrase más el "Gobius paganellus", que nun s'estrema enforma del pixapu cantábricu, sacante na color (castaño).
Xulkimilər (lat. Gobiidae) — Xulabənzərlər yarımdəstəsinə aiddir. Bunların əsas xüsusiyyəti qarın üzgəclərinin yaxınlaşması və hətta sorucu disk əmələ gətirərək qovuşmasıdır. Bu suyun güclü hərəkəti zamanı balığa bir yerdə durmağa imkan verir.Birinci bel üzgəci adətən kiçik olur,şaxələnməyən şüalardan ibarətdir. Xırda balıqlardır.İri növlərin maksimal ölçüsü 300-350,kiçik növlərin ölçüsü isə 50 mm-ə çatır. Dünya okeanında aşkar edilmiş 1800 növ xulkimilər 200 cinsə aiddir. Xəzər dənizində indiyə qədər qeydə alınmış 36 növ və yarımnövdən 28-i endemik hesab edilir. Sistematik baxımdan onlar dünya okeanının az öyrənilmiş balıqları sayılır. Bu səbəbdən hər il yeni növlər aşkar edilir, ya da əksinə, əvvəllər təsvir edilmiş formalar birləşdirilir. Bu hər şeydən əvvəl həmin fəsilənin sistematikasında istifadə edilən zahiri əlamətlərin böyük dəyişkənliyi və ayırd edilməsinin çətinliyi ilə bağlıdır. Xulkimilərin müxtəlif növləri zahiri göstəricilərinə və yayılma xüsusiyyətlərinə görə başqa ümumbioloji cizgilərdən daha çox fərqlənirlər. Bu cizgilərin müqayisəli təhlili həmin balıqların ümumi xarakteristikasında verilmişdir. Xəzərin Azərbaycan sahilində və respublikanın şirin su hövzələrində 9 cinsdən olan 28 növ və yarımnöv aşkar edilmişdir[1]
Xulkimilər (lat. Gobiidae) — Xulabənzərlər yarımdəstəsinə aiddir. Bunların əsas xüsusiyyəti qarın üzgəclərinin yaxınlaşması və hətta sorucu disk əmələ gətirərək qovuşmasıdır. Bu suyun güclü hərəkəti zamanı balığa bir yerdə durmağa imkan verir.Birinci bel üzgəci adətən kiçik olur,şaxələnməyən şüalardan ibarətdir. Xırda balıqlardır.İri növlərin maksimal ölçüsü 300-350,kiçik növlərin ölçüsü isə 50 mm-ə çatır. Dünya okeanında aşkar edilmiş 1800 növ xulkimilər 200 cinsə aiddir. Xəzər dənizində indiyə qədər qeydə alınmış 36 növ və yarımnövdən 28-i endemik hesab edilir. Sistematik baxımdan onlar dünya okeanının az öyrənilmiş balıqları sayılır. Bu səbəbdən hər il yeni növlər aşkar edilir, ya da əksinə, əvvəllər təsvir edilmiş formalar birləşdirilir. Bu hər şeydən əvvəl həmin fəsilənin sistematikasında istifadə edilən zahiri əlamətlərin böyük dəyişkənliyi və ayırd edilməsinin çətinliyi ilə bağlıdır. Xulkimilərin müxtəlif növləri zahiri göstəricilərinə və yayılma xüsusiyyətlərinə görə başqa ümumbioloji cizgilərdən daha çox fərqlənirlər. Bu cizgilərin müqayisəli təhlili həmin balıqların ümumi xarakteristikasında verilmişdir. Xəzərin Azərbaycan sahilində və respublikanın şirin su hövzələrində 9 cinsdən olan 28 növ və yarımnöv aşkar edilmişdir
Els gòbids (Gobiidae) són peixos distribuïts a bastament per les aigües litorals i alguns dels seus representants es troben també a les aigües salabroses i a les maresmes i zones palustres. A Europa n'existeixen fins a 19 espècies que poden freqüentar aquests ambients aquàtics.
Els gòbids (Gobiidae) són peixos distribuïts a bastament per les aigües litorals i alguns dels seus representants es troben també a les aigües salabroses i a les maresmes i zones palustres. A Europa n'existeixen fins a 19 espècies que poden freqüentar aquests ambients aquàtics.
Hlaváčovití (Gobiidae) je čeleď ostnoploutvých paprskoploutvých ryb. Zahrnuje 1500–2000 druhů ve 230 rodech, jsou to zejména mořské a brakické, méně i sladkovodní ryby žijící především v tropických a subtropických mělkých vodách. Dosahují obvykle délky kolem 10 centimetrů, maximálně v některých případech 50 cm; obecně k hlaváčovitým patří některé nejmenší ryby a strunatci vůbec. Obvykle jsou bentofágní, planktovorní nebo drobní masožravci. K hlaváčovitým patří i obojživelní lezci (Oxudercinae), schopní dlouhodobého pobytu na břehu, kde často loví.
Obrázky, zvuky či videa k tématu hlaváčovití ve Wikimedia Commons
Hlaváčovití (Gobiidae) je čeleď ostnoploutvých paprskoploutvých ryb. Zahrnuje 1500–2000 druhů ve 230 rodech, jsou to zejména mořské a brakické, méně i sladkovodní ryby žijící především v tropických a subtropických mělkých vodách. Dosahují obvykle délky kolem 10 centimetrů, maximálně v některých případech 50 cm; obecně k hlaváčovitým patří některé nejmenší ryby a strunatci vůbec. Obvykle jsou bentofágní, planktovorní nebo drobní masožravci. K hlaváčovitým patří i obojživelní lezci (Oxudercinae), schopní dlouhodobého pobytu na břehu, kde často loví.
Fiske-familien Kutlingefamilien (Gobiidae) er den største familie af marine fisk, med over 2000 arter. Blandt de mest typiske medlemmer af familien er dyndspringerne.
Fiske-familien Kutlingefamilien (Gobiidae) er den største familie af marine fisk, med over 2000 arter. Blandt de mest typiske medlemmer af familien er dyndspringerne.
Yekka-d seg uẓar (DW), yemmal-d anamek n uɣersiw n lber (ibki). Ma d aslem-agi qqaren- as akka acku d aberkan am ucaddi n lber. Acaddi d aslem bu yiɣes.Yesɛa deg teɣzi azal n yimi n wuccen (10 isuntimen).D aslem amecṭuḥ, maca yegget. Yesɛa snat n tferrawin sufella n uɛrur- is, snat niɣen deg yibeṛdiyen- is, ǧehdent mliḥ, yis- sent i yettɛummu. Yettili anda zeqqlit waman ɣer yiri n yilel, deg yixemǧan n yejdi, neɣ gar yeẓra.Ma d arraw yessefṛuṛux si 15000 armi d 20000 n tmellalin.Itett izelmamen, ijeɣlalen akked yibelɛac imecṭaḥ.
Yekka-d seg uẓar (DW), yemmal-d anamek n uɣersiw n lber (ibki). Ma d aslem-agi qqaren- as akka acku d aberkan am ucaddi n lber. Acaddi d aslem bu yiɣes.Yesɛa deg teɣzi azal n yimi n wuccen (10 isuntimen).D aslem amecṭuḥ, maca yegget. Yesɛa snat n tferrawin sufella n uɛrur- is, snat niɣen deg yibeṛdiyen- is, ǧehdent mliḥ, yis- sent i yettɛummu. Yettili anda zeqqlit waman ɣer yiri n yilel, deg yixemǧan n yejdi, neɣ gar yeẓra.Ma d arraw yessefṛuṛux si 15000 armi d 20000 n tmellalin.Itett izelmamen, ijeɣlalen akked yibelɛac imecṭaḥ.
Buqa baliqlar (Gobiidae) -okunsimonlar turkumining oilasi. Uz. 10 mm dan 20—30 sm gacha. Qorin suzgichlari birlashib soʻrgʻichni hosil qiladi. 200 dan ortiq urugʻi va 600 ga yaqin turi bor, dengizlarning tropik va subtropik qismida uchraydi. Dengiz, okean, shoʻrlangan va chuchuk suv havzalari sohillari yaqinida hamda tubida hayot kechiradi. Qora dengiz va Kaspiy dengizida bubir Buqa baliqlar , maula Buqa baliqlar , sutsik Buqa baliqlar , Orol dengizida esa Buqa baliqlar ning 6 turi uchraydi. Bahorda uya yasab uvildiriqtashlaydi. Uvildiriqni erkagi qoʻriqlaydi. Ayrim turlari (mas.,.yumaloq Buqa baliqlar , qum buqa baligʻi) ovlanadi.
Buqa bishvdar: malla buka baliq (yuqorida); sutsik buka baligʻi (pastda).
Buqa baliqlar (Gobiidae) -okunsimonlar turkumining oilasi. Uz. 10 mm dan 20—30 sm gacha. Qorin suzgichlari birlashib soʻrgʻichni hosil qiladi. 200 dan ortiq urugʻi va 600 ga yaqin turi bor, dengizlarning tropik va subtropik qismida uchraydi. Dengiz, okean, shoʻrlangan va chuchuk suv havzalari sohillari yaqinida hamda tubida hayot kechiradi. Qora dengiz va Kaspiy dengizida bubir Buqa baliqlar , maula Buqa baliqlar , sutsik Buqa baliqlar , Orol dengizida esa Buqa baliqlar ning 6 turi uchraydi. Bahorda uya yasab uvildiriqtashlaydi. Uvildiriqni erkagi qoʻriqlaydi. Ayrim turlari (mas.,.yumaloq Buqa baliqlar , qum buqa baligʻi) ovlanadi.
Buqa bishvdar: malla buka baliq (yuqorida); sutsik buka baligʻi (pastda).
Gobiidae is a faimily o banie fish in the order Gobiiformes, ane o the lairgest fish faimilies comprisin mair nor 2,000 speshies in mair than 200 genera, whiles referred tae as the "true gobies".[1]
Gobiidae is a faimily o banie fish in the order Gobiiformes, ane o the lairgest fish faimilies comprisin mair nor 2,000 speshies in mair than 200 genera, whiles referred tae as the "true gobies".
De groendels (Gobiidae) zyn e familie van de groendelachtign (Gobiiformes), êen van de grotste visfamilies mè mêer of 2000 sôortn in mêer of 200 geslachtn. De mêeste zyn relatief klêene, minder of 10 cm lank. Sommigte grôte groendels kommn wel 30 cantimeter, moa dat is wel uutzoenderlyk. Groendels zyn over 't algemêen bodembeweuners. Z' eetn klêene oengewevelde bêestjes, andere klêene visjes en planktong.
De mêeste groendels wordn nie g'eetn deur de mens, moa 't zyn wel prôoibêestjes vo vissn lyk kabeljauw, schellevis, zêeboars en platvis. Verschillige sôortn zyn ook aquariumvissn.
Specifieke kenmerkn by de morfologie van de groendels zyn de soamngevoegde buukvinn die e schyvevormige zuugmoend vormn, woarmee dan z' under vastezettn an rotsn en koroalriffn. In aquaria kunn z' under vastezuugn an de gloazn wand.
Groendels zyn verspreyd over hêel de weireld in tropische en gemoatigde streekn, de mêeste in zêe by kustn en koroalriffn, moar ook in brak en zoet woater.
Sommigte groendels leevn in symbiose met andere sôortn, lyk geirnoars. De geirnoare groaft ton een hol in de bodem woarin dat 'n tegoare met de groendel weunt. Ze profiteern alletwêe van die reloasje. De geirnoare die nie zo goed ziet, krygt e woarschuwienge by gevoar en de groendel krygt e veylig huus en e plekke vor eyers te leggn.
De familie Gobiidae is in de 5e uutgoave van Fishes of the World groendig herzien. Vodien bevattegn de Gobiidae zes subfamilies: Gobiinae, Benthophilinae, Amblyopinae, Gobionellinae, Oxudercinae en Sicydiinae. D' herzienienge bewoarde d' êerste twêe subfamilies en verplatste d' andere viere noar een ofzoenderlyke familie, d' Oxudercidae.
De groendels (Gobiidae) zyn e familie van de groendelachtign (Gobiiformes), êen van de grotste visfamilies mè mêer of 2000 sôortn in mêer of 200 geslachtn. De mêeste zyn relatief klêene, minder of 10 cm lank. Sommigte grôte groendels kommn wel 30 cantimeter, moa dat is wel uutzoenderlyk. Groendels zyn over 't algemêen bodembeweuners. Z' eetn klêene oengewevelde bêestjes, andere klêene visjes en planktong.
De mêeste groendels wordn nie g'eetn deur de mens, moa 't zyn wel prôoibêestjes vo vissn lyk kabeljauw, schellevis, zêeboars en platvis. Verschillige sôortn zyn ook aquariumvissn.
Specifieke kenmerkn by de morfologie van de groendels zyn de soamngevoegde buukvinn die e schyvevormige zuugmoend vormn, woarmee dan z' under vastezettn an rotsn en koroalriffn. In aquaria kunn z' under vastezuugn an de gloazn wand.
Groendels zyn verspreyd over hêel de weireld in tropische en gemoatigde streekn, de mêeste in zêe by kustn en koroalriffn, moar ook in brak en zoet woater.
Sommigte groendels leevn in symbiose met andere sôortn, lyk geirnoars. De geirnoare groaft ton een hol in de bodem woarin dat 'n tegoare met de groendel weunt. Ze profiteern alletwêe van die reloasje. De geirnoare die nie zo goed ziet, krygt e woarschuwienge by gevoar en de groendel krygt e veylig huus en e plekke vor eyers te leggn.
Микродесма сымалдуулар (лат. Microdesmidae) — тропик деңиздеринде баткакка, кумга кирип жашоочу балыктардын бир тукуму, буларга микродесмалар уруусу (лат. Microdesmus) да кирет.
La gobioj formas la familion de Gobiedoj, kiu estas unu el plej grandaj familioj de fiŝoj, kun pli ol 2,000 specioj en pli ol 200 genroj.[1] Plej estas relative malgrandaj, tipe malpli ol 10 cm longaj. Gobioj inkludas kelkajn el plej malgrandajn vertebrulojn en la mondo, kiaj specioj de la genroj Trimmatom nanus kaj Pandaka pygmaea, kiuj estas malpli ol 1 cm longaj jam plenkreskaj. Kelkaj grandaj gobioj, kiaj kelkaj specioj de la genroj Gobioides aŭ Periophthalmodon, povas atingi ĝis ĉirkaŭ 30 cm de longo, sed tio estas escepta. Kvankam malmultaj estas gravaj kiel manĝo por homoj, ili estas de granda gravo kiel predospecioj por komerce gravaj fiŝospecioj kiaj gadoj, eglefinoj, baramundioj, kaj ebenfiŝoj. Kelkaj gobioj estas ankaŭ de intereso kiel fixoj por akvarioj, kiaj la burdogobioj de la genro Brachygobius.
La gobioj formas la familion de Gobiedoj, kiu estas unu el plej grandaj familioj de fiŝoj, kun pli ol 2,000 specioj en pli ol 200 genroj. Plej estas relative malgrandaj, tipe malpli ol 10 cm longaj. Gobioj inkludas kelkajn el plej malgrandajn vertebrulojn en la mondo, kiaj specioj de la genroj Trimmatom nanus kaj Pandaka pygmaea, kiuj estas malpli ol 1 cm longaj jam plenkreskaj. Kelkaj grandaj gobioj, kiaj kelkaj specioj de la genroj Gobioides aŭ Periophthalmodon, povas atingi ĝis ĉirkaŭ 30 cm de longo, sed tio estas escepta. Kvankam malmultaj estas gravaj kiel manĝo por homoj, ili estas de granda gravo kiel predospecioj por komerce gravaj fiŝospecioj kiaj gadoj, eglefinoj, baramundioj, kaj ebenfiŝoj. Kelkaj gobioj estas ankaŭ de intereso kiel fixoj por akvarioj, kiaj la burdogobioj de la genro Brachygobius.
Mudillased (Gobiidae) on ahvenaliste seltsi kuuluv liigirikkas kalade sugukond. Mudillased on üks suurimaid kalade sugukondi üldse, sellesse kuulub üle 2000 liigi.
Enamik sugukonda kuuluvaid liike on väikesed: tüüpiliselt alla 10 cm pikad.
Vaatamata sellele, et enamikul mudillastest pole töönduslikku tähtsust, on nad oluline toiduressurss sellistele kalamajanduslikult tähtsatele liikidele nagu tursk, pikša jmt. Mitmeid mudillasi kasutatakse ka akvaariumikaladena, näiteks perekonnast Brachygobius.
Mudillaste sugukond jagatakse neljaks alamsugukonnaks ja umbes 200 perekonnaks.
Eestis on mudillastest esindatud järgmised liigid:
Selles artiklis on kasutatud ingliskeelset artiklit en:Goby seisuga 6.03.2008.
Mudillased (Gobiidae) on ahvenaliste seltsi kuuluv liigirikkas kalade sugukond. Mudillased on üks suurimaid kalade sugukondi üldse, sellesse kuulub üle 2000 liigi.
Enamik sugukonda kuuluvaid liike on väikesed: tüüpiliselt alla 10 cm pikad.
Vaatamata sellele, et enamikul mudillastest pole töönduslikku tähtsust, on nad oluline toiduressurss sellistele kalamajanduslikult tähtsatele liikidele nagu tursk, pikša jmt. Mitmeid mudillasi kasutatakse ka akvaariumikaladena, näiteks perekonnast Brachygobius.
Gobido (Gobiidae) parkaren antzeko izen bereko familiako arrain hezurdunez esaten da. Txikiak, ezkata gabeak eta azal likatsukoak izaten dira. Sabelaldeko hegalak oso zabalak dituzte. Zenbait gobido motatan arra eta emea oso ezberdinak dira. Itsasokoak dira gehienak.[1]
Espezie gehien dituen arrain familietako bat da, 2.000 espezie baino gehiago, 200 generotan banaturik, dituenik.[2]
Gobido (Gobiidae) parkaren antzeko izen bereko familiako arrain hezurdunez esaten da. Txikiak, ezkata gabeak eta azal likatsukoak izaten dira. Sabelaldeko hegalak oso zabalak dituzte. Zenbait gobido motatan arra eta emea oso ezberdinak dira. Itsasokoak dira gehienak.
Espezie gehien dituen arrain familietako bat da, 2.000 espezie baino gehiago, 200 generotan banaturik, dituenik.
Kraemeriidae arrain pertziformeen familia da, Indiako eta erdialdeko Ozeano Bareko itsasoetan bizi dena.[1]
FishBaseren arabera, familiak 9 espezie ditu, 2 generotan banaturik:[2]
Artikulu hau biologiari buruzko zirriborroa da. Wikipedia lagun dezakezu edukia osatuz. Kraemeriidae arrain pertziformeen familia da, Indiako eta erdialdeko Ozeano Bareko itsasoetan bizi dena.
Microdesmidae arrain pertziformeen familia bat da, ur tropikaletan bizi dena.[1]
Ptereleotrinae azpifamilia
Microdesminae azpifamilia
Artikulu hau biologiari buruzko zirriborroa da. Wikipedia lagun dezakezu edukia osatuz. Microdesmidae arrain pertziformeen familia bat da, ur tropikaletan bizi dena.
Tokot (Gobiidae) on ahvenkaloihin kuuluva kalaheimo, joka on levinnyt kaikkiin maailman meriin ja jonka jäsenet ovat yleisiä etenkin lauhkeassa vyöhykkeessä.
Tokkoja tunnetaan yli 1800 lajia, jotka on jaettu kahteensataan sukuun. Vuosittain löytyy 10-20 uutta lajia.[1]
Tokot ovat pienikokoisia kaloja. Suurin tokko, Karibialla elävä Gobioides broussenetii voi kasvaa puolimetriseksi.[1] Useimmat ovat kuitenkin alle kymmensenttisiä, ja Filippiineillä elävä kääpiötokko Pandaka pygmaea jää alle 13 mm pitkäksi ja kuuluu maailman pienimpiin selkärankaisiin. Tokkojen vartalo on pitkulainen, niiden selkä- ja rasvaevät muodostavat yhden evän selkäpuolelle ja niiltä puuttuu kylkiviiva. Monet ovat kirkasvärisiä, jotkut lähes läpinäkyviä.[2]
Tokkoja tavataan sekä merivedessä, murtovedessä että makeassa vedessä. Suurin osa lajeista elää Indopasifisella merialueella. Niitä on paljon koralliriutoilla sekä valtamerten saarien makeavetisissä lammikoissa. Jotkut lajit leviävät laivojen vesijärjestelmissä tai painolastin mukana.[1]
Suomessa tokkoja esiintyy viittä lajia: hietatokko (Pomatoschistus minutus), liejutokko (Pomatoschistus microps), mustatokko (Gobius niger), seitsenruototokko (Gobiusculus flavescens) sekä tulokaslaji mustatäplätokko (Neogobius melanostomus).[3]
Useat lajit asuvat pehmeään merenpohjaan tekemissään koloissa. Jotkut toimivat puhdistajakaloina, ja nyppivät loisia isompien kalojen iholta.[2]
Tokot (Gobiidae) on ahvenkaloihin kuuluva kalaheimo, joka on levinnyt kaikkiin maailman meriin ja jonka jäsenet ovat yleisiä etenkin lauhkeassa vyöhykkeessä.
Tokkoja tunnetaan yli 1800 lajia, jotka on jaettu kahteensataan sukuun. Vuosittain löytyy 10-20 uutta lajia.
Os góbidos[1] (Gobiidae) son unha familia de peixes que comprende máis de 2.000 especies clasificadas en máis de 200 xéneros, o que a fai unha das familias de peixes máis numerosas.[2] A maioría deles son relativamente pequenos, normalmente de menos de 10 cm de lonxitude. Algúns góbidos están entre os vertebrados máis pequenos do mundo, como o Trimmatom nanus e o Pandaka pygmaea, que miden menos de 1 cm de longo cando son adultos. Pero algúns góbidos grandes como os dos xéneros Gobioides ou Periophthalmodon poden chegar aos 30 cm, aínda que isto é excepcional. Xeralmente, son péixes bentónicos, é dicir, viven nos fondos. Aínda que poucos deles son importantes para a alimentación humana, son de grande importancia como especies presas nos ecosistemas dos que se alimentan peixes comercialmente importantes como o bacallau, burro, barramundi (Lates calcarifer), e peixes planos. Varios góbidos son tamén interesantes como peixes de acuario, como os do xénero Brachygobius. As relacións filoxenéticas dos góbidos foron estudados por medio de análises de datos moleculares.[3][4]
O aspecto máis distintivo da morfoloxía dos góbidos é a fusión das aletas pélvicas formando unha ventosa discoidal. Esta ventosa é funcionalmente análoga á ventosa da aleta dorsal que posúen as rémoras ou á ventosa da aleta pélvica dos cicloptéridos, pero é anatomicamente distinta; estas semellanzas son o produto dunha evolución converxente. Os góbidos poden a miúdo verse usando a ventosa para adherirse a rochas e corais, e nos acuarios péganse ás paredes de cristal do tanque.
Os góbidos están espallados por todo o mundo en ambientes tropicais e temperados preto das costas mariñas, en augas salobres ou en doces. A súa área de distribución esténdese desde os arrecifes de coral do Vello Mundo aos mares do Novo Mundo, e inclúe os ríos e hábitats litorais de Europa e Asia.[5] Nos arrecifes de coral, os góbidos constitúen o 35% do total de peixes e o 20% da diversidade de especies.[6] Os góbidos son xeralmente habitantes dos fondos e viven dentro do corpo de invertebrados ou dentro das galerías que estes escavan.
A familia dos góbidos comprende seis subfamilias, que son:
Os membros da subfamilia Amblyopinae son góbidos alongados que viven na lama. As súas dúas aletas dorsais están conectadas por unha estrutura membranosa e os seus ollos están moi reducidos. Son xeralmente de cores rosas, vermellas ou púrpuras. Os Amblyopinae contén 12 xéneros e unhas 23 especies.[7][8]
Os membros de Benthophilinae son endémicos da rexión Ponto-Caspiana (que inclúe o mar de Mármara, o Negro, o de Azov, o Caspio e o de Aral).[9] Os representantes da subfamilia teñen aletas pélvicas fusionadas e aletas dorsais e anais alongadas.[10] Distínguense da subfamilia estreitamente relacionada Gobiinae pola ausencia de vexiga natatoria nos adultos e a localización dos raios superiores das aletas pectorais dentro da membrana da aleta.[11] Entre os seus membros están Benthophilus, Neogobius fluviatilis e Ponticola kessleri.
Os membros de Gobiinae son os góbidos máis típicos e os máis espallados polo mundo e máis diversificados, e conteñen unhas 2.000 especies e 150 xéneros.
Os membros de Gobionellinae habitan principalmene en hábitats de estuario, aínda que algúns son de auga doce e só hai un xénero mariño, Gnatholepis. Encóntranse en rexóns tropicais e temperadas arredor do mundo coa excepción do noroeste do océano Atlántico, o mar Mediterráneo e a rexión Ponto-Caspiana. Comprende arredor de 370 especies e 55 xéneros.[12]
Os membros de Oxudercinae están moi especializados. Poden saír da auga e sobrevivir durante longos períodos de tempo en terra por medio da combinación de adaptacións de comportamento e fisiolóxicos, como ter aletas pectorais que actúan como unhas patas simples; a capacidade de respirar pola pel (como as ras); e de escavar e enterrarse no barro húmido para evitar secarse. Viven en áreas intermareais que quedan secas na marea baixa, especialmente en zonas de chairas de barro costeiras e bosques de mangleiros, e só se atopan en rexións tropicais e subtropicais.
Os Sicydiinae son unha pequena subfamilia de góbidos de auga doce, que comprende só 9 xéneros.[13] Encóntranse normalmente en regatos de montaña de correntes rápidas de illas tropicais.[14][15]
Os góbidos son principalmente peixes de hábitats de augas mariñas pouco fondas, como pozas de marea, arrecifes de coral e praderías mariñas (por exemplo de posidonias); son tamén moi numerosos en augas salobres e hábitats de estuario, como os cursos inferiores dos ríos, pantanos de mangleiros e marismas salgadas. Un pequeno número de especies de góbidos (uns poucos centos) están tamén adaptadas a ambientes de auga doce. Entre estes están os góbidos asiáticos de río (Rhinogobius spp.), o góbido do deserto australiano (Chlamydogobius eremius) e o góbido de auga doce europeo Padogobius bonelli. A maioría dos góbidos aliméntanse de pequenos invertebrados, aínda que algunhas das especies máis grandes comen outros peixes e unhas poucas comen algas planctónicas.
Os góbidos pegan os seus ovos ao substrato, como vexetación, coral, ou rochas. Poñen de cinco a uns poucos centos de ovos, dependendo das especies. Despois de fertilizaren os ovos, o macho garda os ovos do ataque dos depredadores e mantenos libres de detritos. O macho abana os ovos, proporcionándolles así oxíxeno. A femia mantén o burato. Os ovos eclosionan pasados uns poucos días. As larvas nacen transparentes e desenvolven a súa coloración despois de espallarse para encontrar un hábitat axeitado. As larvas de moitas especies de góbidos de augas doces son levadas corrente abaixo ata augas salobres, ou mesmo ata o mar. Volven a augas doces semanas ou meses despois.[16]
Os góbidos en augas cálidas chegan á idade adulta en poucos meses, mentres que os góbidos en ambientes máis fríos chegan a adultos en dous anos. A duración da vida total dos góbidos varía dun a dez anos, e de novo as especies de augas cálidas viven xeralmente máis.[16]
Os góbidos xeralmente viven en parellas de macho e femia que constrúen e comparten unha toqueira, de xeito similar a moitos outros peixes como a tilapia de Mozambique. Son toqueiras escavadas na area que usan como refuxio e lugar de desova. Os góbidos utilizan as súas bocas para escavar no fondo do mar, retirando fragmentos de coral morto, pedriñas e algas bentónicas para así construír a toqueira.[17] Os gobios manteñen as súas toqueiras varrendo a area do interior. Ademais, os góbidos utilizan cachiños de coral para bloquear a entrada. Un só góbido transporta nove anacos de coral por minuto. Os góbidos tamén constrúen un pequeno montículo de 6 a 13 cm de alto na entrada da súa toquiera de desova.[17] O montículo permite que a auga flúa rápido sobre el. O fluxo de auga creado polo montículo axuda a proporcionar oxíxeno aos ovos. Aínda que a construción da toqueira é un comportamento cooperativo feito polos dous sexos, os machos xeralmente dedican maiores esforzos ao mantemento da toqueira que as femias. As femias dedican máis tempo a alimentarse, porque o éxito reprodutivo é óptimo cando as femias dedican máis enerxía a prepararse para a reprodución.[18] Un dato interesante é que despois da poñeren os ovos, os papeis de machos e femias cambian. As femias pasan a ser as que manteñen a toqueira principalmente, e os machos son os que máis coidan dos ovos abanándoos para proporcionarlles oxíxeno. Porén, cando as femias abandonan a toqueira, os montículos perden altura. Os machos entón abandonan o coidado dos ovos e comen os ovos, preparándose para futuras oportunidades de apareamento. As toqueiras dos góbidos varían en tamaño dependendo do tamaño da especie.[18]
A cleptogamia é o comportamento tramposo durante a reprodución. A femia dos góbidos prefire machos con corpos grandes. Como non todos os machos teñen corpos grandes, os que son pequenos poden intentar enganar en vez de gastar enerxía en atopar parellas.[19] Os trampulleiros esperan preto do terreo de desova dos gobios emparellados e entón liberan o seu esperma no terreo de desova en canto a femia emparellada libera os seus ovos.[20] Aínda que o esperma dos tramposos fertiliza algúns ovos, o macho da parella non pode distinguir os ovos fertilizados por el dos fertilizados por outros. Por tanto, o macho emparellado presta coidados parentais igualmente a todos os ovos.[21]
A cleptogamia é unha boa estratexia en diversos aspectos. Primeiro, os tramposos non necesitan ter os seus propios territorios, polo que non teñen que gastar enerxía en protexer os seus teritorios, como fan a maioría dos machos. A maioría dos machos necesitan ter os seu propio territorio porque as femias non escollen para aparearse a machos que non o teñan.[19] Segundo, os tramposos non proporcionan coidados parentais aos ovos, cousa que si fan os machos emparellados. Por tanto, os tramposos poden aforrar enerxía, e poden dedicar máis esforzos a encontrar novas parellas ás que enganar.[19]
O custo da cleptogamia é que os tramposos poden sufrir ataques agresivos dos machos emparellados que son xeralmente moito máis grandes e fortes que os tramposos. Para os tramposos pequenos, os ataques dos machos emparellados poden ser prexudiciais e a miúdo acaban coa súa morte.[19]
Os tramposos tamén se denominan pseudofemias, xa que son pequenos e apenas distinguibles das femias. Este pequeno tamaño corporal fai que sexa máis fácil enganar. Os machos emparellados pensarán a maior parte das veces que os tramposos son femias e así non intentan escorrentalos. Os machos emparellados denomínanse machos “burgueses”, porque son máis grandes, fortes e teñen parella.[19]
Unhas poucas especies de góbidos, como Rhinogobiops nicholsii e Lythrypnus dalli, poden cambiar de sexo. O cambio de sexo é posible nestes góbidos porque os xenitais externos de machos e femias non difiren moito.[19] Os cambios de sexo poden trdar en completarse días ou semanas. A maioría dos cambios de sexo nos góbidos son de femia a macho (protoxinia) e son máis raros de macho a femia (protandria). Os cambios de femia a macho obsérvanse tamén noutros peixes como os lábridos, pomacéntridos, e algúns perciformes mariños.[19] Os cambios de femia a macho ocorren xeralmente cando morre o macho residente do grupo. Se non hai macho no grupo a reprodución é imposible e nese caso a femia dominante convértese en macho.[22] Os cambios de macho a femia ocorren cando as femias mostran unha preferencia por determinadas características do macho. Por exemplo, as femias de góbidos prefiren os machos grandes, e uns poucos machos grandes dunha zona aparéanse con moitas femias, mentres que os machos pequenos perden as súas oportunidades de aparearse. Os machos pequenos poden elixir entre comportarse como tramposos (cleptogamia; ver máis arriba) ou transformarse en femias porque todas as femias teñen unha alta probabilidade de aparearse. Ao convertérense en femias, os machos poden asegurarse de que producen descendentes.[19][23]
Algúns góbidos desenvolveron extraordinariamente a capacidade de cambiar de sexo. Gobiodon histrio que vive no arrecife da Gran Barreira de Coral australiano mostra cambios desexo bidireccionais. Este peixe é unha das poucas especies que pode facer este cambio nas dúas direccións. Viuse que cando dous Gobiodon historio femias, que eran antes machos, están na mesma zona do arrecife de coral, unha delas transfórmase de novo en macho.[23]
A determinación do sexo no Gobiodon erythrospilus non ocorre ata que os individuos novos atopan parellas potenciais.[19] Atopar unha potencial parella pode ser difícil para os Gobiodon erythrospilus xuvenís, xa que moitos dos recursos do coral, cruciais para atraer parellas, están ocupados por outras parellas de góbidos. Os individuos novos só poden conseguir parella cando morre un membro dalgunha parella preexistente. Os sexos dos individuos novos están determinados segundo os sexos das súas parellas potenciais. Cando un góbido xuvenil se encontra cunha femia, convértese no macho e viceversa. Este tipo de determinación do sexo denomínase determinación do sexo influída socialmente.[24]
Algúns góbidos poden lembrar puntos de referencia que están a curtas distancias, e úsanos para encontrar o seu camiño. O pequeno Bathygobius soporator vive en zonas intermareais. Nada polas pozas de marea durante a marea alta e memoriza como se conecta cada poza coas demais. Despois, durante a marea baixa, pode presentar un comportamento saltador entre pozas moi exacto, xa que memorizou os camiños.[25] Se o situamos nun ambiente novo, este góbido non mostra este comportamento saltador nin salta a pozas incorrectas. Non obstante, pasada unha noche, mostra os mesmos comportamentos saltados de gran precisión.[26]
Fíxose un estudo para comprender como reaccionan os góbidos para cambiar de hábitat. Aos góbidos se lles deu dúas opcións a elixir: un hábitat seguro con menos comida e un hábitat perigoso con máis comida. Os resultados tanto de góbidos cheos coma esfameados revelaron que os góbidos, cando se confrontaron coa alternativa entre buscar comida e evitar a predación, fixeron eleccións que melloraban a busca de comida.[27]
Os góbidos ás veces establecen relacións simbióticas con outras especies,[28] como cos camaróns de toqueira. Nestas dúas especies é o camarón o encargado do mantemento da toqueira escavada na area na cal viven tanto o góbido coma o camarón. O camarón ten unha vista mala en comparación co gólbido, pero se ve ou sente que o gobio entra repentinamente na toqueira, el ségueo. O góbido e o camarón mentéñense en contacto, o camarón faino usando as súas antenas e o peixe golpea o camarón coa cola cando está alarmado. Estes góbidos denomínanse ás veces "góbidos vixilantes" ou "góbidos dos camaróns". Cada parte benefíciase desta relación: o camarón consegue que o avisen cando se aproxima un perigo, e o góbido consegue un fogar seguro para refuxiarse e un lugar para poñer ovos.
Outro exemplo de simbiose é a dos góbidos Elacatinus spp, chamados "góbidos limpadores", que eliminan os parasitos da pel, aletas, boca e branquias dunha ampla variedade de grandes peixes. O aspecto máis salientable desta simbiose é que moitos dos peixes que visitan a estación de limpeza dos góbidos noutras circunstancias tratarían de comer a un peixe pequeno como o góbido. Nesta relación o góbido benefíciase dunha continua fonte de alimentación, e os peixes grandes quedan libres de parasitos.
Outra forma de simbiose dáse entre os góbidos e o coral Heliofungia actiniformis (Fungiidae), na cal os góbidos do xénero Eviota nadan entre os tentáculos do coral posiblemente para agocharse dos predadores.[29][30]
Os góbidos teñen unha importancia comercial en Rusia e Ucraína. Péscanse no mar de Azov, noroeste do mar Negro e mar Caspio. As especies máis importantes son Neogobius melanostomus, Neogobius fluviatilis, Mesogobius batrachocephalus e Zosterisessor ophiocephalus. O mencionado Z. ophiocephalus é tamén un peixe comercial en Italia.
Varias especies de góbidos poden terse en acuarios.[31] A maioría dos gobios en catividade son mariños. Quizais o máis popular é o pequeno pero moi colorido gobio neon (Elacatinus ). A maioría dos góbidos permanecen preto da porción inferior do acuario, escondéndose entre as pedras do acuario, pero algunhas especies (especialmente os góbidos dos camaróns) preferían escavar eles mesmos pequenas galerías. Os acuaristas proporciónanlles un substrato de gran fino para evitar que se danen nas súas delicadas partes inferiores. Nos acuarios téñense normalmente en especies de auga salgada como o Amblyeleotris e o Cryptocentrus.
Os góbidos (Gobiidae) son unha familia de peixes que comprende máis de 2.000 especies clasificadas en máis de 200 xéneros, o que a fai unha das familias de peixes máis numerosas. A maioría deles son relativamente pequenos, normalmente de menos de 10 cm de lonxitude. Algúns góbidos están entre os vertebrados máis pequenos do mundo, como o Trimmatom nanus e o Pandaka pygmaea, que miden menos de 1 cm de longo cando son adultos. Pero algúns góbidos grandes como os dos xéneros Gobioides ou Periophthalmodon poden chegar aos 30 cm, aínda que isto é excepcional. Xeralmente, son péixes bentónicos, é dicir, viven nos fondos. Aínda que poucos deles son importantes para a alimentación humana, son de grande importancia como especies presas nos ecosistemas dos que se alimentan peixes comercialmente importantes como o bacallau, burro, barramundi (Lates calcarifer), e peixes planos. Varios góbidos son tamén interesantes como peixes de acuario, como os do xénero Brachygobius. As relacións filoxenéticas dos góbidos foron estudados por medio de análises de datos moleculares.
Glavoči (lat. Gobiidae) ili glamci je porodica riba iz reda grgečki (lat. Perciformes) tj. nadreda tvrdoperki (lat. Acanthopterygii) koja obuhvača 1671 vrstu[1]. Ova porodica je jedna od najbrojnijih ribljih porodica, svrstanih u 250 rodova [2]. Porodica se dalje dijeli na pet podporodica, a to su: Oxudercinae, Amblyopinae, Sicydiinae, Gobionellinae i Gobiinae [3]. Većina glavoča je relativno mala, manja od 10 cm, a pojedine vrste rodova Trimmaton i Pandaka jedva dosegnu i 1 cm duljine. Postoje i veći glavoči, koji su u usporedbi s navedenima divovi, kao što su pripadnici rodova Gobioides i Periophthalmodon koji narastu i preko 30 cm duljine. Najveći od svih glavoča je Gobioides broussenetii koji naraste i do 50 cm duljine[4]. Općenito govoreći, glavoči ne predstavljaju značajnu stavku u ljudskoj prehrani, ali imaju znatnu ulogu u prehrani drugih vrsta (raža, bakalar, lubin,...). Također, glavoči kao pridneni predatori imaju važnu ulogu u čišćenju dna od raznih ostataka. Pojedine vrste se uzgajaju i kao ribice za morske akvarije.
Jedno od najvažnijih obilježja glavoča jest njihova trbušna peraja, odnosno spoj njihovih trbušnih peraja. One su srasle zajedno i tvore tanjurasti organ slične osobine kao lovke hobotnice koji služi da se glavoč priljepi za podlogu, stvarajući podtlak, koji može izdržati njegovu težinu i u okomitom položaju. Drugo važno obilježje glavoča je njihova leđna peraja, odnosno podijeljenost ista, tako da tvori dva odvojena dijela.
Glavoči su većinom stanovnici priobalnog dijela mora, malih dubina, a također su brojni i u bočatim vodama. Pojedine vrste su prilagođene i za život u potpuno slatkoj vodi. Većinom se hrane malim beskralježnjacima, a pojedine veće vrste se hrane manjim ribama. Rijetki glavoči su i vegetarijanci, te se hrane algama.
Prilikom razmnožavanja, većina glavoča skriva svoja jajašca lijepeći ih za stijenu, koralj ili travu. Također, kod velikog broja vrsta, otac čuva jajašca dok se mladi ne izlegu. Nekoliko vrsta glavoča je poznato da mijenja spol tijekom života, premda ovo nije tipično za glavoče.
Glavoči ponekad žive u simbiozi s drugim morskim organizmima. Jedan od takvih primjera je suživot s kozicom, gdje glavoč živi u rupi koju je napravila kozica. Rupa glavoču pruža sigurnost, a kozica je dobila "izviđača", odnosno, sustav ranog upozorenja. Naime, vid kozice je slab i ona se oslanja na upozorenja glavoča o nailazećoj opasnosti da bi se sakrila u rupu.
Drugi primjer simbioze je kod roda Elacatinus, koji su razvili svoj talent čišćenja parazita s većih riba, koje ih ne napadaju iako bi u normalnim okolnostima to uradili. Ovdje, veća riba donosi hranu glavočima, a za uzvrat, oni ih čista od nametnika
Amerikiniai kirmėliniai grundalai (lot. Microdesmidae, angl. Wormfishes, Dartfishes) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) šeima. Dydis 6-20 cm. Dugne rausia urvelius. Paplitę Centrinės Amerikos rytinėse ir vakarinėse priekrantėse.
Amerikiniai kirmėliniai grundalai (lot. Microdesmidae, angl. Wormfishes, Dartfishes) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) šeima. Dydis 6-20 cm. Dugne rausia urvelius. Paplitę Centrinės Amerikos rytinėse ir vakarinėse priekrantėse.
Grundalinės (lot. Gobiidae) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) būrio žuvų šeima.
Lietuvos pajūryje aptinkamos:
Tai didžiausia jūrinių žuvų šeima, kurioje yra daugiau nei 200 genčių ir apie 2000 rūšių. Skirstoma į keletą pošeimių.
Vieni grundalai yra gana stambūs, pvz., knūtas ir užauga iki 35 cm ilgio, kiti, pvz., Knipovičiaus grundalas, smulkesni ir užauga iki 5 cm ilgio.[1]
Grundalinės (lot. Gobiidae) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) būrio žuvų šeima.
Lietuvos pajūryje aptinkamos:
Smėlinis grundalas (Pomatoschistus minutus) Paplūdiminis grundalas (Pomatoschistus microps) Juodasis grundalas (Gobius niger) Dvidėmis grundalėlis (Coryphopterus flavescens)Tai didžiausia jūrinių žuvų šeima, kurioje yra daugiau nei 200 genčių ir apie 2000 rūšių. Skirstoma į keletą pošeimių.
Vieni grundalai yra gana stambūs, pvz., knūtas ir užauga iki 35 cm ilgio, kiti, pvz., Knipovičiaus grundalas, smulkesni ir užauga iki 5 cm ilgio.
Smėliniai grundalai (lot. Kraemeriidae, angl. Sand gobies, Sandfishes, vok. Sandspießer) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) būrio žuvų šeima.
Šeimoje 2 gentys, 8 rūšys.
Smėliniai grundalai (lot. Kraemeriidae, angl. Sand gobies, Sandfishes, vok. Sandspießer) – ešeržuvių (Perciformes) būrio žuvų šeima.
Šeimoje 2 gentys, 8 rūšys.
Jūrasgrunduļu dzimta (Gobiidae) ir viena no jūrasgrunduļveidīgo kārtas (Gobiiformes) dzimtām,[1] kas apvieno apmēram 1200 zivju sugas, kas tiek iedalītas apmēram 175 ģintīs.[2] Dzimtas zivis sastopamas tropiskajos un mērenās joslas ūdeņos, gan jūrās, gan saldūdens ūdenstilpēs Vecajā un Jaunajā pasaulē.[3]
Lielākās jūrasgrunduļu sugas tiek makšķerētas un arī zvejotas izmantošanai pārtikā. Daudzas sugas ir ļoti populāras akvāriju zivtiņas, īpaši krāsainās. Kā jau tas raksturīgs okeāna zivīm, šīs sugas ir neiespējami pavairot nebrīves apstākļos.[4]
Jūrasgrunduļu dzimtai 2016. gadā saskaņā ar jaunākajiem ģenētiskajiem atklājumiem veiktas ievērojamas izmaiņas. Nesenā pagātnē dzimtai bija 6 apakšdzimtas. Mūsdienās dalījums apakšdzimtās likvidēts, atstājot jūrasgrunduļu dzimtā divu bijušo apakšdzimtu ģintis (jūrasgrunduļu apakšdzimtas (Gobiinae) un kurkuļgrunduļu apakšdzimtas (Benthophilinae) ģintis), bet pārējās četras izdalītas dūņlēcēju dzimtā (Oxudercidae).[2]
Savukārt dzimtu Kraemeriidae, Microdesmidae, Ptereleotridae un Schindleriidae sugas pievienotas jūrasgrunduļu dzimtai.[2]
Latvijā sastopamas 5 jūrasgrunduļu dzimtas zivju sugas: melnais jūrasgrundulis (Gobius niger), divplankumu jūrasgrundulis (Gobiusculus flavescens), apaļais jūrasgrundulis (Neogobius melanostomus), jūrasgrundulis (Pomatoschistus microps) un mazais jūrasgrundulis (Pomatoschistus minutus).[5]
Lielākā daļa jūrasgrunduļu dzimtas sugas ir neliela auguma zivtiņas, tipiski mazākas par 10 cm.[4] Mazākā dzimtā ir liliputgrundulis (Trimmatom nanus), kura pieaugušie īpatņi ir apmēram 1 cm gari un ir vieni no mazākajiem mugurkaulniekiem pasaulē.[6] Lielākais dzimtā ir plakangalvas jūrasgrundulis (Glossogobius giuris), kura ķermeņa garums var sasniegt 50 cm.[7]
Iezīmīgākā jūrasgrunduļu pazīme ir tā, ka daudzām sugām vēdera spuras ir saaugušas kopā, veidojot piltuvveida piesūcekni, ar kura palīdzību jūrasgrundulis turas pie kāda grunts objekta, piemēram, pie akmens vai koraļļa. Lielākajai daļai sugu ir divas muguras spuras: pirmajai asi, dzeloņaini stari, otrajai pirmie stari asi, bet pēc tam seko vairāki mīksti stari. Dažas jūrasgrunduļu dzimtas sugas ir ļoti krāsainas, bet citas kriptiskas (ar maskējošiem raibumiem). Ķermeni sedz zvīņas.[4]
Jūrasgrunduļu dzimtas sugas galvenokārt sastopamas tropu un subtropu jūrās un siltajos okeānu reģionos, dažas sugas mājo saldūdens ūdenstilpēs (upēs un ezeros). Tās kopumā ir bentiskas zivis un galvenokārt uzturas seklos piekrastes ūdeņos virs grunts. Tikai pelaģiskajam jūrasgrundulim (Sufflogobius bibarbatus), kā jau tā nosaukums norāda, ir samērā pelaģisks dzīves veids.[8] Lielākā daļa sugu slēpjas iedobēs, alās un spraugās un ir teritoriālas. Jūrasgrunduļi ir plēsīgi un barojas ar nelieliem bentiskiem bezmugurkaulniekiem, kā arī ar zooplanktonu.[4] Dažos gadījumos jūrasgrunduļi dzīvo simbiozē ar citiem neradniecīgiem jūras dzīvniekiem, piemēram, vēžveidīgajiem.
Jūrasgrunduļu dzimta (Gobiidae)
Jūrasgrunduļu dzimta (Gobiidae) ir viena no jūrasgrunduļveidīgo kārtas (Gobiiformes) dzimtām, kas apvieno apmēram 1200 zivju sugas, kas tiek iedalītas apmēram 175 ģintīs. Dzimtas zivis sastopamas tropiskajos un mērenās joslas ūdeņos, gan jūrās, gan saldūdens ūdenstilpēs Vecajā un Jaunajā pasaulē.
Lielākās jūrasgrunduļu sugas tiek makšķerētas un arī zvejotas izmantošanai pārtikā. Daudzas sugas ir ļoti populāras akvāriju zivtiņas, īpaši krāsainās. Kā jau tas raksturīgs okeāna zivīm, šīs sugas ir neiespējami pavairot nebrīves apstākļos.
De Gobiidae (grondels) vormen een familie van vissen uit de orde van Baarsachtigen (Perciformes). Het is een van de grootste vissenfamilies, met meer dan 2000 soorten in meer dan 200 geslachten. De meeste vissen zijn relatief klein, gewoonlijk kleiner dan 10 cm in lengte. Onder de grondels bevinden zich sommige van de kleinste gewervelden ter wereld, zoals soorten uit het geslacht Trimmaton en Pandaka, die als volwassen exemplaar kleiner dan 1 cm blijven. De grotere soorten kunnen echter lengtes bereiken tot meer dan 30 cm, maar dit zijn uitzonderingen.
Hoewel enkele belangrijk zijn voor de menselijke consumptie zijn ze voornamelijk belangrijk als prooidieren voor de commercieel belangrijkere vissen als de kabeljauwen, schelvissen, zeebaarzen en platvissen. Enkele soorten worden ook in aquaria gehouden. Het onderscheidende kenmerk van de morfologie van vissen uit de familie zijn de samengevoegde buikvinnen die een schijfvormige zuigmond vormen. Met deze zuigmond zetten ze zich vast aan rotsen en koraalriffen en in aquaria zullen ze zich vastzuigen aan de glazen wand van de bak. Ze leven voornamelijk in ondiep zeewater, maar ook in brak water, mondingen van rivieren en mangrove moerassen worden ze vaak aangetroffen. Een klein aantal soorten (naar schatting een kleine honderd) is ook aangepast naar zoetwateromgevingen, zoals Gobioides broussonnetii, Rhinogobius rhinogobius, Chlamydogobius eremius en Padogobius bonelli.
Grondels leven soms in symbiose met andere soorten.[1] Sommige soorten met garnalen, waarbij de garnaal een hol in de bodem graaft waar beide dieren leven. De garnaal heeft een slecht zicht, maar maakt gebruik van zijn antennes om de omgeving in de gaten te houden, terwijl de grondelsoort de garnaal met zijn staart aantikt wanneer er gevaar dreigt. Beide soorten hebben voordeel bij deze relatie, waarbij de garnaal gewaarschuwd wordt bij gevaar en de vis een veilig onderkomen en plaats om eieren te leggen. Een ander voorbeeld van symbiose is de Gobiosoma gobiosoma, die parasieten van de huid, vinnen, bek en kieuwen van enkele grotere soorten vis verwijdert. Deze grotere vissen zouden de kleinere soort normaal als prooi zien, maar zal deze vis met rust laten vanwege de gezondheidsvoordelen na het verwijderen van de parasieten.
Enkele soorten worden in aquaria gehouden.[2] Soorten van het geslacht Brachygobius worden het meest verhandeld, omdat het kleine, kleurrijke en makkelijk te houden vissen zijn. Ze hebben tropisch, hard en alkalisch zoet of licht brak water nodig als omgeving. Het zijn normaliter vredelievende vissen ten opzichte van de andere dieren in het aquarium, hoewel ze onderling territoriaal gedrag kunnen vertonen. Omdat het kleine vissen zijn en ze meestal geen andere vissen eten, zijn het goede vissen om te houden bij andere soorten. Het grootste probleem is de voeding, omdat ze meestal levend of bevroren voedsel verkiezen boven gedroogde vlokken. Daarnaast zijn ze niet goed in de competitie om voedsel met andere soorten zoals cichliden.
Zie Lijst van geslachten van de grondels voor een complete lijst van de meer dan 200 geslachten van de grondels.
De Gobiidae (grondels) vormen een familie van vissen uit de orde van Baarsachtigen (Perciformes). Het is een van de grootste vissenfamilies, met meer dan 2000 soorten in meer dan 200 geslachten. De meeste vissen zijn relatief klein, gewoonlijk kleiner dan 10 cm in lengte. Onder de grondels bevinden zich sommige van de kleinste gewervelden ter wereld, zoals soorten uit het geslacht Trimmaton en Pandaka, die als volwassen exemplaar kleiner dan 1 cm blijven. De grotere soorten kunnen echter lengtes bereiken tot meer dan 30 cm, maar dit zijn uitzonderingen.
Hoewel enkele belangrijk zijn voor de menselijke consumptie zijn ze voornamelijk belangrijk als prooidieren voor de commercieel belangrijkere vissen als de kabeljauwen, schelvissen, zeebaarzen en platvissen. Enkele soorten worden ook in aquaria gehouden. Het onderscheidende kenmerk van de morfologie van vissen uit de familie zijn de samengevoegde buikvinnen die een schijfvormige zuigmond vormen. Met deze zuigmond zetten ze zich vast aan rotsen en koraalriffen en in aquaria zullen ze zich vastzuigen aan de glazen wand van de bak. Ze leven voornamelijk in ondiep zeewater, maar ook in brak water, mondingen van rivieren en mangrove moerassen worden ze vaak aangetroffen. Een klein aantal soorten (naar schatting een kleine honderd) is ook aangepast naar zoetwateromgevingen, zoals Gobioides broussonnetii, Rhinogobius rhinogobius, Chlamydogobius eremius en Padogobius bonelli.
Kutlinger er en stor artsrik familie av fisker med over 2000 arter. De finnes over hele verden, men har størst utbredelse i tropiske og subtropiske områder. Noen arter (ca. 100) lever i ferskvann, resten holder seg i salt- eller brakkvann.
De fleste artene er ganske små, vanligvis under 10 cm lange, men enkelte arter som Glossogobius giuris kan bli opptil 50 cm. Verdens minste fiskearter i gruppene Trimmatom og Pandaka er kutlinger. Bukfinnene er vokst sammen til en mer eller mindre godt utviklet sugeskål. Alle europeiske arter har to ryggfinner. Første ryggfinne består kun av piggstråler, mens den andre har både piggstråler og bløtstråler.
Slamkryper er en av de mest kjente kutlingartene i akvariehandelen.
Det finnes 12 arter i Norge[1]
Kutlinger er en stor artsrik familie av fisker med over 2000 arter. De finnes over hele verden, men har størst utbredelse i tropiske og subtropiske områder. Noen arter (ca. 100) lever i ferskvann, resten holder seg i salt- eller brakkvann.
Multimedia w Wikimedia Commons 
Hasło w Wikisłowniku Babkowate[2], babki[2] (Gobiidae) − rodzina ryb okoniokształtnych (Perciformes). Jest to największa rodzina ryb morskich. Niektóre tylko gatunki występują w wodach słodkich. Do babkowatych należą najmniejsze ryby świata Schindleria brevipinguis i Pandaka pygmaea. Niektóre gatunki spotykane są w hodowlach akwariowych.
Większość gatunków zamieszkuje wody tropikalne i subtropikalne mórz i oceanów, rzadziej – wody słodkie. Kilka gatunków występuje w Morzu Bałtyckim.
Rodzaje zaliczane do tej rodziny są zgrupowane w podrodzinach Amblyopinae, Gobiinae, Gobionellinae, Oxudercinae i Sicydiinae[3]:
Aboma — Acanthogobius — Acentrogobius — Afurcagobius — Akihito — Akko — Amblychaeturichthys — Amblyeleotris — Amblygobius — Amblyotrypauchen — Amoya — Anatirostrum — Ancistrogobius — Aphia — Apocryptes — Apocryptichthys — Apocryptodon — Arcygobius — Arenigobius — Aruma — Asterropteryx — Astrabe — Aulopareia — Austrolethops — Awaous — Babka — Barbulifer — Barbuligobius — Bathygobius — Benthophiloides — Benthophilus — Boleophthalmus — Bollmannia — Brachyamblyopus — Brachygobius — Bryaninops — Buenia — Cabillus — Caecogobius — Caffrogobius — Callogobius — Caragobius — Caspiosoma — Chaenogobius — Chaeturichthys — Chlamydogobius — Chriolepis — Chromogobius — Clariger — Clevelandia — Corcyrogobius — Coryogalops — Coryphopterus — Cotylopus — Cristatogobius — Croilia — Cryptocentroides — Cryptocentrus — Crystallogobius — Ctenogobiops — Ctenogobius — Ctenotrypauchen — Deltentosteus — Didogobius — Discordipinna — Drombus — Ebomegobius — Echinogobius — Economidichthys — Egglestonichthys — Ego — Elacatinus — Eleotrica — Enypnias — Eucyclogobius — Eugnathogobius — Eutaeniichthys — Evermannia — Evermannichthys — Eviota — Evorthodus — Exyrias — Favonigobius — Feia — Fusigobius — Gammogobius — Gillichthys — Ginsburgellus — Gladiogobius — Glossogobius — Gnatholepis — Gobiodon — Gobioides — Gobionellus — Gobiopsis — Gobiopterus — Gobiosoma — Gobius — Gobiusculus — Gobulus — Gorogobius — Grallenia — Gymneleotris — Gymnoamblyopus — Gymnogobius — Hazeus — Hemigobius — Hetereleotris — Heterogobius — Heteroplopomus — Hyrcanogobius — Ilypnus — Istigobius — Karsten — Kelloggella — Knipowitschia — Koumansetta — Larsonella — Lebetus — Lentipes — Lepidogobius — Lesueurigobius — Lethops — Leucopsarion — Lobulogobius — Lophiogobius — Lophogobius — Lotilia — Lubricogobius — Luciogobius — Luposicya — Lythrypnus — Macrodontogobius — Mahidolia — Mangarinus — Mauligobius — Mesogobius — Microdesmus — Microgobius — Millerigobius — Minysicya — Mistichthys — Mugilogobius — Myersina — Nematogobius — Neogobius — Nes — Nesogobius — Obliquogobius — Odondebuenia — Odontamblyopus — Oligolepis — Ophiogobius — Oplopomops — Oplopomus — Opua — Oxuderces — Oxyurichthys — Padogobius — Paedogobius — Palatogobius — Palutrus — Pandaka — Papillogobius — Papuligobius — Parachaeturichthys — Paragobiodon — Paragobiopsis — Paraplesiops — Parapocryptes — Parasicydium — Paratrimma — Paratrypauchen — Parawaous — Pariah — Parkraemeria — Parrella — Pascua — Periophthalmodon — Periophthalmus — Phoxacromion — Phyllogobius — Platygobiopsis — Pleurosicya — Polyspondylogobius — Pomatoschistus — Ponticola — Porogobius — Priolepis — Proterorhinus — Psammogobius — Pseudaphya — Pseudapocryptes — Pseudogobiopsis — Pseudogobius — Pseudorhinogobius — Pseudotrypauchen — Psilogobius — Psilotris — Pterogobius — Pycnomma — Quietula — Redigobius — Rhinogobiops — Rhinogobius — Risor — Robinsichthys — Sagamia — Scartelaos — Schindleria — Schismatogobius — Sicydium — Sicyopterus — Sicyopus — Signigobius — Silhouettea — Siphonogobius — Smilosicyopus — Speleogobius — Stenogobius — Stigmatogobius — Stiphodon — Stonogobiops — Sueviota — Sufflogobius — Suruga — Synechogobius — Taenioides — Tamanka — Tasmanogobius — Thorogobius — Tigrigobius — Tomiyamichthys — Tridentiger — Trimma — Trimmatom — Trypauchen — Trypauchenichthys — Trypauchenopsis — Tryssogobius — Typhlogobius — Valenciennea — Vanderhorstia — Vanneaugobius — Varicus — Vomerogobius — Wheelerigobius — Yoga — Yongeichthys — Zappa — Zebrus — Zosterisessor
Przedstawiciele rodziny babkowatych są reprezentowani w wodach Polski m.in. przez:
Babkowate, babki (Gobiidae) − rodzina ryb okoniokształtnych (Perciformes). Jest to największa rodzina ryb morskich. Niektóre tylko gatunki występują w wodach słodkich. Do babkowatych należą najmniejsze ryby świata Schindleria brevipinguis i Pandaka pygmaea. Niektóre gatunki spotykane są w hodowlach akwariowych.
Microdesmidae é uma família de peixes da subordem Gobioidei.
O FishBase lista 27 species em cinco géneros:[1]
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Býčkovité (lat. Gobiidae) je čeľaď rýb z radu ostriežotvaré (Perciformes).
Do čeľade býčkovité patrí okolo 240 rodov, medzi inými napr.:
Býčkovité (lat. Gobiidae) je čeľaď rýb z radu ostriežotvaré (Perciformes).
Amblyopinae
Gobiinae
Gobionellinae
Oxudercinae
Sicydiinae
Glamoči ali glavoči (znanstveno ime Gobiidae) so družina morskih rib.
Ime je ta družina dobila po značolno velikih glavah, v njej pa je več kot 20 različnih vrst v petih poddružinah.
Druga značilnost rib v tej družini so vretenasta telesa, pokrita s sluzavo kožo. Po hrbtu so večinoma rjavi, temnosivi ali črnikasti in imajo kamuflažne vzorce. Po trebuhu so te ribe svetlejše in imajo parne trebušne plavuti, ki so združene in pri nekaterih vrstah tvorijo nekakšen prisesek, s katerim se oprijemajo skal. Repne plavuti so zaobljene, te ribe pa nikoli ne presežejo dolžine 20 centimetrov.
Glamoči so pogoste ribe obalnega pasu in nikoli ne zaidejo v večje globine. Pogosti so v toplejših morjih, tudi v Jadranu. Živijo na skalnih tleh, kjer se prehranjujejo z drobnimi morskimi živalicami. Gospodarsko niso pomembne ribe, čeprav jih lovijo vse leto s parangali, vršami in na trnek. V ribarnicah se te ribe redko znajdejo, saj spadajo med tretjerazredne vrste, njihovo belo in mehko meso pa pri kuhanju rado razpade.
Glamoči ali glavoči (znanstveno ime Gobiidae) so družina morskih rib.
Smörbultar (Gobiidae) är en familj i ordningen abborrartade fiskar och med 200 släkten och omkring 2 000 arter den artrikaste i ordningen. Merparten av arterna återfinns i tropiska vatten.
Smörbultar har oftast en långsträckt kropp som liknar en cylinder och ett tjuraktigt huvud med ögon på ovansidan och stor mun. De är oftast små fiskar med 10 centimeters längd med stora, höga fenor. Ryggfenan är tydligt delad i två delar. Hos många arter är de båda bukfenorna sammanvuxna till en sugskiva. Därmed kan de lätt fästa sig på klippor. De flesta smörbultar saknar simblåsa och vistas därför på bottnen, klippor eller på ryggradslösa djur som saknar förmåga att förflytta sig. Det finns bara ett fåtal smörbultar som förekommer i öppet hav. Kroppens färg är anspråkslös, oftast sandfärgad med ett mönster som kamouflage. Flera små arter har bara få pigment och är genomskinliga. Könsdimorfismen är vanligtvis stor hos smörbultarna; hane och hona är ofta olikfärgade. Den i östra Stilla havet levande arten Lythrypnus dalli är med röd grundfärg och blå strimmor färgrikast. Den största arten, Glossogobius giuris, blir ungefär 50 centimeter lång. Några arter, såsom Pandaka pygmaea från Sydostasien och Trimmatom nanus från Indiska oceanen är mycket små. De räknas till de allra minsta fiskarterna och når inte ens en centimeter längd.
Smörbultar förekommer huvudsakligen i havet från polcirkeln till tropikerna. Trots att de flesta är havsfiskar - som lever i grunda havsområden och på bottnen, där de finner skydd i grottor, korallrev och mellan klippor - är några arter specialiserade på att leva i bräckt och sött vatten, särskilt i Gamla världen. Några arter i underfamiljen Amblyopinae och släktet slamkrypare är anpassade till tidvattenzonen. Slamkrypare har därför förmåga att på land andas luft, när vattnet dragit sig tillbaka. I grottor förekommer smörbultar med förkrympta ögon.
Många smörbultar har mycket begränsade utbredningsområden. I Europa finns två endemiska arter i norra Italien. En av dessa lever i Gardasjön och i Lago Maggiore. Förekomsten av den centralaustraliska arten Chlamydogobius eremius är begränsad till Eyresjön. I hela Australien finns omkring 400 arter, men bara 7 som lever i sötvatten. På flera små öar i Oceanien är smörbultar de enda sötvattenfiskarna.
I Europa finns 19 arter som lever i sötvatten. De flesta av dessa förekommer i Kaukasus och norr om Svarta havet. Större smörbultar är föremål för fiske.
Mest kända av alla smörbultar som förekommer i sötvatten är de nio arterna av släktet Brachygobius som förekommer naturligt i Sydostasien och som ofta finns i akvarier. Det är små fiskar med en längd mellan tre och fem centimeter och med gul-svarta band tvärs över kroppen. De förekommer även i bräckt vatten i flodmynningar.
Flera tropiska, marina arter är anpassade till livet på sandbottnar mellan korallrev. Dessa tillhör släktena Amblyogobius, Signigobius och Valenciennea. De har oftast ljus kroppsfärg. Dessa fiskar upptar alltid sand i munnen. De ätliga partiklar som finns mellan sandkornen slukas ner och själva sanden faller ut genom gällocken. Under natten och vid fara gömmer sig dessa smörbultar i bon som de själva grävt.
Flera smörbultar lever i gemenskap med ryggradslösa djur. Dessa förhållanden kan vara symbios, där båda partner tar nytta av gemenskapen. Det finns även relationer där fördelen bara ligger hos smörbultarna, så kallad kommensalism.
Familjen delas vanligtvis i fem underfamiljer med tillsammans cirka 210 släkten och omkring 2 000 arter. Systematiken är fortfarande omstridd. Ständigt upptäcks nya arter. Här listas underfamiljer och släkten.
I underfamiljen finns cirka 130 släkten. Hos ingående arter är bukfenorna alltid ombildade till en sugskiva. Denna underfamilj är den artrikaste av alla underfamiljer.
Den svartmunnade smörbulten, Neogobius melanostomus har hemort i Svarta havet, men förekommer numera både i Östersjön och i Göta älvs mynning, troligen ditförd med fartygs barlastvatten. Den upptäcktes i Finska viken 2005 och finns 2008 hela vägen från kusten vid sydvästra Finland och vidare längs östra östersjökusten ända ner till tyska kusten.
Den svartmunnade smörbulten blir 10…17 cm lång och har sitt habitat från vattenytan ner till ett djup på 30 m.
Arten är svår konkurrent till bl a skrubbskädda och rödspätta.[1]
Underfamiljen består av 56 släkten med cirka 500 arter. De är små och lever i tropiska regioner, oftast i sötvatten.
Arterna i denna underfamilj har en särskilt långsträckt kropp och finns över hela världen i tropiska hav och i bräckt vatten. Denna underfamilj omfattar 13 släkten.
Bukfenorna hos dessa fiskar är tjockare än eljest, och används ibland på land när de vill förflytta sig. Mest känt är släktet slamkrypare. Arterna lever i tidvattenzonen av tropiska hav eller i mangroveträsk.
I underfamiljen finns 7 släkten med tillsammans cirka 100 arter. De förekommer vanligtvis i sötvatten eller bräckt vatten i tropikerna. Larverna utvecklas oftast i öppet hav. Några arter är bra anpassade till livet i snabbt flytande vattendrag.
Smörbultar (Gobiidae) är en familj i ordningen abborrartade fiskar och med 200 släkten och omkring 2 000 arter den artrikaste i ordningen. Merparten av arterna återfinns i tropiska vatten.
Kaya balığı, oldukça geniş bir balık türü ailesi olan 200'den fazla cinsi ve 2.000'den fazla türü bulunan Gobiidae familyasından bir balıktır.[1] Çoğunluğu tipik olarak 10 cm (4 inç) büyüklüğünde olup, göreceli olarak oldukça küçüktürler. Bu türden Trimmatom nanus ve Cüce kayabalığı, dünya üzerinde bilinen en küçük omurgalı türlerindendir ve büyüdüklerinde boyları 1 cm'nin (3/8) altında olur. Gobioides ve Periophthalmodon cinsleri gibi bazı kaya balığı türleri ise 30 cm (1 ft) uzunluğa kadar ulaşabilir veya bu boyu da aşabilirler. Az sayıda insan için bir gıda olarak önemi bulunmasına rağmen, özellikle morina, mezgit balığı, barramundi, yassı balıklar kadar ticari açıdan önemi olan balıklardır. Pek çok ülkede önemli bir av türüdürler. Brachygobius (yaban arısı balığı) gibi bazı kaya balığı türlerine ise, akvaryumlarda beslemek için yoğun ilgi gösterilmektedir.
Kaya balığı morfolojisinin en belirgin özelliği, balığın emiciliğini oluşturan disk şeklinde leğen yüzgeçleri bulunmasıdır. Bu emiciliğe sahip leğen yüzgeçleri Remoralar veya Lumpsuckerlar gibi ama sırt yüzgecinden anatomik olarak farklıdırlar ve benzerlik yakınsak evrimin ürünüdür. Balık genellikle kayalara ve mercanlara bir uyum içerisinde emicilik yaparken görülebilir ve kaya balıkları akvaryumlarda tankın cam duvarlarına sürekli yapışmış ve emer vaziyette görülürler.
Gobiidae altı ana alt familya içerir.
Alt familya Amblyopinae türü üyeleri yılan balığı veya solucan balığı olarak da bilinen ince, uzun ve çamurda yaşayan kaya balıklarıdır. Bunların iki sırt yüzgeçleri bir zar yapısı ile bağlıdır ve gözleri son derece küçüktür. Renkleri genellikle pembe, kırmızı veya mordur. Amblyopinae'ler 12 cins ve yaklaşık olarak 23 tür içerir.[2][3]
Benthophilinae üyeleri Ponto-Hazar bölgesi ( Marmara Denizi, Karadeniz, Azak Denizi, Hazar Denizi ve Aral Denizi'ndeki türler de dahil olmak üzere) endemiktir.[4] Alt familya temsilcilerinin leğen yüzgeçleri ve uzun sırt ile anal yüzgeçleri birleşmiştir.[5] Yetişkin ve bu tür ile yakından ilişkili bir Gobiinae ile alt familyası, yüzgeç zarının yüzme kesesi ve göğüs yüzgecinin en üstünde bulunması nedeniyle ayırt edilebilir.[6] Bu türün üyelerine Maymun kaya balığı, Kendini beğenmiş kaya balığı ve İribaş kaya balığı da dâhildir.
Gobiinae üyeleri gerçek balığı olarak bilinir. 2000 tür ve 150 cins içeren Gobiidae familyasının alt familyası olarak en yaygın balık türüdür.
Bazılarının tatlı sularda yaşamamalarına rağmen Gobionellinae üyeleri genellikle nehir ağızlarında yaşamaktadırlar. Bunlar kuzeydoğu Atlantik Okyanusu, Akdeniz ve Ponto-Hazar bölgesinin dışında kalan tüm dünyadaki tropik ve ılıman bölgelerde bulunur. Bu alt familya yaklaşık olarak 350 tür ve 55 cinsi içerir.[7]
Oxudercinae üyeleri yaygın olarak çamur zıpzıpı adıyla bilinir. Bunlar ailenin son derece uzmanlaşmış üyeleridir. Bu alt familya davranışsal ve fizyolojik adaptasyon kombinasyonuyla arazide uzun süre hayatta kalabilirler. Göğüs yüzgeçlerini basit bacakları olarak kullanır ve ilerlerler. Kurbağa gibi derilerinden nefes alma yetenekleri gelişmiştir ve derilerinin kurumasını önlemek ve nemli kalmasını sağlamak için yuvalar kazarlar. Çamur zıpzıpları gel-gitlerin sık yaşandığı çamur yatakları ve mangrov ormanları gibi ancak tropik ve subtropik bölgelerde bulunurlar.
Sicydiinae tatlı su kaya balığı alt familyasının ancak dokuz cins alt ailesi vardır.[8] Genellikle tropikal adalarda hızlı hareket eden, debisi yüksek dağ akarsularında bulunurlar.[9][10]
Kaya balıkları öncelikle gelgit havuzları, mercan kayalıkları ve deniz çayırları da dâhil olmak üzere sığ deniz yaşam alanları balıklarıdır. Ayrıca sıklıkla nehirlerin aşağı kesimlerinde, Mangrov ormanları ve tuzlu bataklılar da dahil olmak üzere acı suların bulunduğu nehir ağızlarında daha yoğun şekilde bulunurlar. Çok az sayıda kaya balığı (tam olarak bilinmemekle birlikte, düşük düzeylerde olduğu biliniyor.) tamamen tatlı su ortamlarına uyum sağlamışlardır. Bunlar Asya nehir kaya balığı ( Rhinogobius dahil), Avustralya çöl kaya balığı (Chlamydogobius eremius), Avrupa tatlı su kaya balığı (Padogobius bonelli)'dır. Büyük türlerin başlıcaları başka balıkları yemelerine rağmen, küçük omurgasızlar ve bazı plankton türleri ile beslenirler.
Kaya balığı yumurtalarını bir bitki örtüsü, mercan veya kaya üzerine bırakır. Bunlar beş türe bağlı olarak birkaç yüz yumurta bırakabilirler. Yumurtaların döllenmesinin ardından, onları erkek avcılardan korumak ve uzak tutmak için dişiler üstlerine tortu bırakırlar. Larvalar yumurtadan birkaç gün sonra çıkarlar. Larvalar ilk başta şeffaf olarak doğarlar ve uygun bir yaşam alanı bulduktan sonra zamanla renkleri gelişmeye başlar. Birçok tatlı su türü larvası nehir ağızlarından aşağıdaki tuzlu sulara hatta denizlere doğru taşınırlar. Ancak daha sonraki haftalarda ve aylarda tekrar tatlı sulara dönerler.[11]
Sıcak sularda kaya balığı yaklaşık bir ay kadar bir zaman zarfında yetişkin boyutlara ulaşır, serin sularda bu süre iki yıla kadar uzayabilir. Kaya balığının yaşam süresi ılıman ortamlarda daha uzun sürerken, bu süre bir yıldan on yıla kadar değişiklik gösterir.[11]
Siyah gözlü kaya balığı gibi birkaç tür kaya balığının dişilerinin, seks için erkek cinsiyetine geçebildiği bilinmektedir. Bu türlerin çoğunluğu dişi olarak doğarlar. Yumurtaları korumak için birden fazla erkeğin çaba harcaması gerektiği için cinsiyet değiştirirler.[11] Bu tür, güney Papua Yeni Gine'deki Bootless Körfezi çevresindeki okyanusta, nadir mercanlarda yaşar ve diğer ebeveyn tür tarafından reddedilir. Bu şekilde oğul tür, ebeveyn türle iç içe yaşamasına ve aralarında herhangi bir coğrafi yalıtım bulunmamasına rağmen üreysel olarak ebeveyn türden izole hale gelmiştir.
Türleşmenin erken dönemlerinde evrilen kaya balıklarının, eşleşmek için aynı bölgedeki nadir mercanlıklarda yumurtalarını bırakan diğer balıkları tercih ettiği bir sınıflandırıcı eşleşme ile ilişkilidir.[12]
Kaya balıkları bazen tünel kazan karideslerde (burrowing) olduğu gibi diğer türler ile simbiyotik ilişkiler kurarlar.[13] Karidesin kurduğu kum yuvada hem karides hem de kaya balığı birlikte yaşarlar. Karidesin kaya balığına göre görme duyusu daha zayıftır. Ancak karides kaya balığını kısmen görse de yuvanın içerisine doğru yüzdüğünü hisseder. Kaya balığı ile karides birbirleri ile temas kurmak için karidesin antenlerini kullanırlar. Kaya balığı kuyruğu ile karidesin antenlerine hafifçe vurur ve iletişim kurarlar. Bu türdeki kaya balıkları, bu nedenden dolayı bazen bekçi veya karides balığı olarak bilinirler. İkili arasındaki bu ilişkiden her iki tarafında kazançları vardır. Karides kaya balığı sayesinde yaklaşan tehlikelerden haberdar olur, kaya balığı ise yumurtaları için güvenli bir yuva bulmuş olur.
Simbiyoz yani ortak yaşamın bir başka türü de neon kaya balığı (Elacatinus spp.) için gösterilmiştir. "Temizleyici kaya balığı" olarak bilinen bu kaya balığı türü, büyük balıkların deri ve kuyruklarında bulunan çeşitli solungaç parazitlerini temizlemektedir. Bu ortak yaşamın en dikkat çekici yönü, büyük balığın kaya balığını küçük bir hamle ile gıda olarak tüketebilecek olmasına karşın, onu bir temizlik istasyonu gibi kullanması ve ona zarar vermemesidir (Örneğin Orfoz ve Lutjanidae gibi). Aynı şekilde bu ilişki ve ortak yaşam her iki taraf için de çıkar amaçlıdır. Büyük balık kaya balığını temizlik istasyonu gibi kullandığından dolayı sürekli olarak sağlıklı kalır ve kaya balığı da kolay şekilde gıdasını temin eder.
Bir başka ortak yaşam formu ise, (Fungiidae temsilcilerinden olan) Heliofungia actiniformis mantar mercanı ve kaya balığı arasında bulunmaktadır. Eviota Tentacles muhtemelen avcılardan gizlenmek için sürekli olarak arasında dolaşmaktadır.[14]
Kaya balığı Ukrayna'da ciddi bir ticari öneme sahiptir. Burada kaya balığını Azak Denizi ve Karadeniz'de avlarlar. Ticari türlerin arasında en önemli olanlar; Yuvarlak kaya balığı, Maymun kaya balığı, Kurbağa kaya balığı ve Çimen kaya balığıdır. Çimen kaya balığı İtalya'da çokça avlanan ticari bir balıktır.
Kaya balığının birkaç türü akvaryumlar için idealdir ve çokça tutulur.[15] Tatlı su akvaryumlarında bulundurulsa da, tuzlu su akvaryumlarının vzageçilmezleri arasındadır. Sağlıklı ve temiz resif akvaryumlarda sıkça bulunur. Belki de en çok tutulan türü Neon kaya balığı türüdür. Kaya balığı akvaryumlarda en çok dip ve kayalık kısımları tercih eder. Ancak bazı türleri (özellikle karides kaya balığı) daha çok yuva kazmayı tercih ederler. Kaya balığının akvaryumlarda her an zarar görmeye hassas alt tarafları için, zemini ince taneli yüzey olacak şekilde ayarlamalıdırlar.
Tuzlu su akvaryumlarında çokça tutulan türleri bekçi kaya balığı adıyla da anılan, Randall karides kaya balığıdır. Bazı cins Brachygobius yaban arısı kaya balıkları da hem renkli olmaları hem de bakımlarının kolay olması nedeniyle akvaristler tarafından sevilirler. Kaya balıklarının, doğal yaşam alanları olan tropikal ortamları, akvaryum koşullarında oluşturmak için, suyun biraz sert ve alkalinli acı su gibi olması gerekir.
Kaya balığı kendi tank arkadaşları ile genellikle uyumlu şekilde yaşar ve kendi huzurlu bölgesini oluşturur. Diğer balıklara karşı bazı durumlarda yırtıcı olduğundan dolayı genellikli toplu sistemlerde sayısı az oranda tutulmalıdır. Kaya balıkları Çiklit gibi aktif türler ile rekabette iyi olmadığından dolayı birkaç istisna dışında onlara pul yem yerine canlı veya dondurulmuş, hızla dibe ulaşan gıdalar verilmelidir. Bir başka önemli sorun ise, tanklardan sıklıkla dışarı atladıklarından dolayı buna uygun tedbirlerin tankın çevresinde alınmasıdır. Yarım gaga ve lepistesler gibi huzurlu, su üstünü seven canlılar ile birlikte beslenmesi tavsiye edilebilir.
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Kaya balığı, oldukça geniş bir balık türü ailesi olan 200'den fazla cinsi ve 2.000'den fazla türü bulunan Gobiidae familyasından bir balıktır. Çoğunluğu tipik olarak 10 cm (4 inç) büyüklüğünde olup, göreceli olarak oldukça küçüktürler. Bu türden Trimmatom nanus ve Cüce kayabalığı, dünya üzerinde bilinen en küçük omurgalı türlerindendir ve büyüdüklerinde boyları 1 cm'nin (3/8) altında olur. Gobioides ve Periophthalmodon cinsleri gibi bazı kaya balığı türleri ise 30 cm (1 ft) uzunluğa kadar ulaşabilir veya bu boyu da aşabilirler. Az sayıda insan için bir gıda olarak önemi bulunmasına rağmen, özellikle morina, mezgit balığı, barramundi, yassı balıklar kadar ticari açıdan önemi olan balıklardır. Pek çok ülkede önemli bir av türüdürler. Brachygobius (yaban arısı balığı) gibi bazı kaya balığı türlerine ise, akvaryumlarda beslemek için yoğun ilgi gösterilmektedir.
Характерною рисою бичків є наявність черевних плавців, перетворених на дископодібний присосок, що є результатом конвергентної еволюції. Бички використовують цей присосок, щоб утримуватись на скелях і коралах; в акваріумах часто тримаються на склі.
Мають два спинні плавці. У деяких видів, таких як представники підродини Benthophilinae, у дорослому стані відсутній плавальний міхур.
Основні види риб зосереджені на прибережних морських мілинах, включаючи припливову зону, коралові рифи і водні зарості, також дуже численні в солонуватих водах і лиманах, пониззях річок, мангрових заростях. У прісних водах відомо мало видів. Прикладом прісноводних бичків можуть бути австралійські Chlamydogobius eremius, європейські Padogobius bonelli. Більшість з них живляться дрібними безхребетними, великі види також живляться рибами, деякі споживають планктонні водорості.
Бички прикріплюють свою ікру до субстрату, такому як гідрофіти, корали, каміння. Відкладають від п'яти до кількох сотен яєць. Після запліднення самець охороняє ікру від хижаків і вичищає від забруднення. личинки вилуплюються прозорими, забарвлення розвивається пілся того, як личинки знаходять відповідне середовище. Личинки деяких річкових видів спускають у дельти річок і естуарії або навіть до моря, щоб потім повернутись до річок за кілька тижнів або місяців.[2]
Деякі бички з теплих вод досягають зрілості за місяць, але в холодних водах на це йде до двох років. Тривалість життя бичків від одного року до десяти літ.[2] Деякі види бичків здатні змінювати стать із самиці на самця. У таких видів більшість особин народжується самицями, до гнізда одного самця ікру відкладають кілька різних самиць.[2]
В Україні дуже поширені в Чорному і Азовському морях, в лиманах Північного Причорномор'я, в Дніпрі, Дністрі, Південному Бузі, Дунаї та інших річках, досить численні в усіх водосховищах.
Серед поширених в Україні видів слід розрізнити Понто-Каспійських бичків, таких як представників родів Babka, Benthophilus, Benthophiloides, Caspiosoma, Mesogobius, Neogobius, Ponticola, Proterorhinus, а також Середземноморських іммігрантів, таких як Aphia, Gobius, Zosterisessor.
В Україні бичкові риби мають промислове значення. Відловлюються в Азовському морі, лиманах північно-західної частини Чорного моря. Найчастіше ловлять бичків кругляка, бабку, жабу, зеленчака.
Họ Cá bống trắng (danh pháp khoa học: Gobiidae) là một họ cá, theo truyền thống xếp trong phân bộ Cá bống (Gobioidei) của bộ Cá vược (Perciformes)[1]. Theo định nghĩa cũ thì họ này là một họ lớn, chứa khoảng 2.000 loài cá nhỏ trong khoảng 200 chi.
Tuy nhiên, một số nghiên cứu gần đây cho thấy bộ Cá vược là không đơn ngành, và toàn bộ phân bộ Cá bống được tách ra để phục hồi lại thành bộ riêng, có quan hệ họ hàng gần với bộ Kurtiformes trong cùng nhánh Gobiaria[2], như thế họ Gobiidae hiện tại được xếp trong bộ Cá bống (Gobiiformes).
Chúng là cá có vây bụng biến thành giác bám, chủ yếu sống bám vào đá ở đáy biển và phần lớn ở vùng nhiệt đới. Cá bống trắng đẻ trứng chìm dưới dáy, trong hang hốc. Cá bống đực được phân công canh giữ trứng.
Cá bống chịu được sự thay đổi nhiều của nồng độ muối trong nước, có khả năng thay đổi màu sắc phù hợp với môi trường xung quanh. Có khoảng 600 loài cá bống trắng ở các vùng biển nông nhiệt đới và ôn đới. Cá bống cũng thuộc loại cá dữ chuyên bắt ấu trùng của động vật ở tầng đáy làm thức ăn.
Một số loài cá bống trắng có giá trị kinh tế vì thịt rất thơm ngon. Cá bống nước lợ là đối tượng đánh bắt quan trọng và một số loài là đối tượng nhập khẩu.
Theo truyền thống, họ này chia ra thành các phân họ như sau:
Tuy nhiên, định nghĩa truyền thống của họ Gobiidae làm cho nó trở thành một nhóm không đơn ngành. Một số các kết quả nghiên cứu phát sinh chủng loài cho thấy phân họ Gobiinae (bao gồm cả Benthophilinae) - phần lõi của họ Gobiidae - nên được hợp nhất với các họ Microdesmidae, Ptereleotridae, Kraemeriidae, Schindleriidae để tạo ra họ Gobiidae nghĩa mới[3], đồng thời các phân họ còn lại (Gobionellinae, Amblyopinae, Oxudercinae và Sicydiinae) nên được sắp xếp lại thành họ Gobionellidae[4][5][6]. Tuy nhiên, việc duy trì phân họ Gobionellinae trong phạm vi họ Gobionellidae không được đảm bảo, do nó không là một nhóm đơn ngành trong mối tương quan với 3 phân họ còn lại. Cụ thể, phân họ Sicydiinae lồng sâu trong nhánh Stenogobius của Gobionellinae.
Theo định nghĩa mới thì họ Gobiidae vẫn là một họ lớn, với khoảng 130 chi và trên 1.120-1.200 loài.
Gobiaria
Kurtiformes
Eleotridae nghĩa mới
Gobiidae nghĩa mới (gộp cả Kraemeriidae, Microdesmidae, Ptereleotridae, Schindleriidae)
Họ Cá bống trắng (danh pháp khoa học: Gobiidae) là một họ cá, theo truyền thống xếp trong phân bộ Cá bống (Gobioidei) của bộ Cá vược (Perciformes). Theo định nghĩa cũ thì họ này là một họ lớn, chứa khoảng 2.000 loài cá nhỏ trong khoảng 200 chi.
Tuy nhiên, một số nghiên cứu gần đây cho thấy bộ Cá vược là không đơn ngành, và toàn bộ phân bộ Cá bống được tách ra để phục hồi lại thành bộ riêng, có quan hệ họ hàng gần với bộ Kurtiformes trong cùng nhánh Gobiaria, như thế họ Gobiidae hiện tại được xếp trong bộ Cá bống (Gobiiformes).
Самый крупный — бычок-мартовик (альтернативные названия: кнут, жаба). Самый многочисленный вид — бычок-кругляк. Далее идут: бычок-бубырь (или бо́бырь), афия, бычок-цуцик, приклеивающий икринки на каменистых мелководных россыпях, бычок-головач, бычок-травяник, горбыль, бычок-песочник (бабка), бычок-горлач и множество др.
Внешне различные виды бычков очень схожи, различить их довольно сложно. Основные отличия между различными видами бычков — это количество лучей на плавниках, окраска, пятнышки и полосочки на теле, оттенки, размер и количество чешуи.
Всех бычков можно разделить на две большие группы:
Солоноватоводные являются реликтами и живут в Чёрном море ещё с тех пор, когда оно имело связь с Каспием. Морские постепенно переселяются в Чёрное море из Средиземного. Одним из первых переселился бычок-зеленчак и стал единственным промысловым видом из группы морских бычков.
Солоноватоводные бычки, или, как их ещё называют, понтические реликты, идеально приспособлены к жизни в лиманах. Они легко переносят резкие колебания солёности воды — от пресной до чисто морской. Кругляк и песочник, например, прекрасно чувствуют себя не только в Чёрном море, но и в Днестре и Днепре. А маленький бычок-цуцик по Дону проник до Воронежа и даже добрался до Мраморного моря, где солёность в два раза выше черноморской. Но в Мраморном море цуцик не стал многочисленным, а поднялся во впадающие в него реки — сказалась его склонность к опреснённой воде. Средиземноморский же по происхождению бычок-зеленчак совершенно не выносит пресной воды и обычно обитает в водоёмах с высокой солёностью.
В прежние годы бычки составляли до 30 % уловов в Чёрном море. Сейчас из-за ухудшения условий обитания и отрицательной экологической обстановки их количество значительно сократилось, однако адаптивные способности бычков весьма высоки, поэтому вымирание рыбам не грозит.
(на основе их мест обитания на территории СНГ)
Места с песчаным, ракушечным дном предпочитают:
Скальное и каменистое дно предпочитают:
Заросшее травой и морскими водорослями дно предпочитают:
Как на песчаном, так и на каменистом дне живёт:
(изменения внесены согласно изданию «Жизнь Животных», том «Рыбы» (в зависимости от года издания номер тома меняется)
Ловят бычков поплавочными, чаще донными снастями. Используют местный метод ловли (под лодкой, около пирса и т. д.) или же ловят «на протяжку» (закидывая снасть на 15—30 м, медленно подматывают; бычок преследует наживку и клюёт). Часто используют снасть с скользящим грузилом и двумя-тремя крючками, один из которых касается грунта. Приманка: земляные черви, креветка, кусочек морского червя или рыбы, в том числе и бычка, кусочек кальмара, мясо, печень, виноградные улитки и другие животные насадки. Леска 0,25—0,4 мм (на закидушки лучше 0,6 (основная) и 0,3 поводки), крючок № 6—10. Крючки предпочтительнее с длинным цевьём — их легче извлекать из пасти, так как поклёвка бычка жадная.
Самый крупный — бычок-мартовик (альтернативные названия: кнут, жаба). Самый многочисленный вид — бычок-кругляк. Далее идут: бычок-бубырь (или бо́бырь), афия, бычок-цуцик, приклеивающий икринки на каменистых мелководных россыпях, бычок-головач, бычок-травяник, горбыль, бычок-песочник (бабка), бычок-горлач и множество др.
Внешне различные виды бычков очень схожи, различить их довольно сложно. Основные отличия между различными видами бычков — это количество лучей на плавниках, окраска, пятнышки и полосочки на теле, оттенки, размер и количество чешуи.
Всех бычков можно разделить на две большие группы:
солоноватоводные, морские.Солоноватоводные являются реликтами и живут в Чёрном море ещё с тех пор, когда оно имело связь с Каспием. Морские постепенно переселяются в Чёрное море из Средиземного. Одним из первых переселился бычок-зеленчак и стал единственным промысловым видом из группы морских бычков.
Солоноватоводные бычки, или, как их ещё называют, понтические реликты, идеально приспособлены к жизни в лиманах. Они легко переносят резкие колебания солёности воды — от пресной до чисто морской. Кругляк и песочник, например, прекрасно чувствуют себя не только в Чёрном море, но и в Днестре и Днепре. А маленький бычок-цуцик по Дону проник до Воронежа и даже добрался до Мраморного моря, где солёность в два раза выше черноморской. Но в Мраморном море цуцик не стал многочисленным, а поднялся во впадающие в него реки — сказалась его склонность к опреснённой воде. Средиземноморский же по происхождению бычок-зеленчак совершенно не выносит пресной воды и обычно обитает в водоёмах с высокой солёностью.
В прежние годы бычки составляли до 30 % уловов в Чёрном море. Сейчас из-за ухудшения условий обитания и отрицательной экологической обстановки их количество значительно сократилось, однако адаптивные способности бычков весьма высоки, поэтому вымирание рыбам не грозит.
虾虎鱼即指鱼类分类学鰕虎目中的虾虎鱼科（Gobiidae），又作鰕虎科。它是鱼类中最大的科之一，已知品種超过2000种。绝大多数体型細小，一般短于10厘米。世界上最短小的脊椎動物要數微蝦虎魚（Trimmatom nanus）和矮蝦虎魚（Pandaka pygmaea）也屬虾虎鱼科，它们成大后也短于1厘米。体型较大的虾虎魚有拟虾虎鱼（Gobioides）种类和斑駁尖塘鱧，体长可達30厘米，但這是少有的例外。尽管虾虎鱼本身不是人们的重要食物来源，但它们却是许多经济鱼类（如鳕鱼、黑线鳕、黑鲈和比目鱼等）的重要食糧。有些虾虎鱼还是很受水族馆欢迎的种类，如短虾虎鱼屬（Brachygobius）的种类等。
虾虎鱼类最突出的形态特征就是其腹鳍愈合成一吸盘状。该吸盘的功能与鮣的背鳍吸盘和圆鳍鱼科的腹鳍吸盘类似，但在解剖上是十分不同的结构，因此只是趋同进化的结果。经常可以看到野生的虾虎鱼以吸盘吸附在岩石或珊瑚上，在水族箱中它们也很乐意吸在鱼缸的玻璃上。
虾虎鱼基本上生存于浅海环境，包括潮间带水坑、珊瑚礁和海草牧场，也大量存在于海水和河口栖息地，包括河流下游、红树林湿地和盐沼地。只有少数种类可完全适应于淡水环境，當中包括亚洲河流中的吻虾虎鱼屬（Rhinogobius）、澳大利亚沙漠的雷虾虎鱼（Redigobius）及欧洲的淡水虾虎鱼（Padagobius martensii）。
虾虎鱼科的分类经历了重大修正[1]，虾虎鱼亚目下原有几个独立的科：蚓鰕虎科（Microdesmidae）、沙鰕虎科（Kraemeriidae）及辛氏鱼科（Schindleriidae）目前都被并入本科。
相反的，本科除了原有的虾虎鱼亚科（Gobiinae）保持不变外，以下四个过去曾归类于本科的亚科均已被独立出来成为另外一科，即背眼虾虎鱼科（Oxudercidae）：
虾虎鱼类由于非主流经济鱼类，因此受人们关注不及其它的大型鱼类。也由于其多样性极为丰富、某些种屬间形态相近，鉴别难度大，因此对于其分类，尤其是屬内及屬间分类尚存在一些争议。本科鱼类估计尚有不少未被描述和定名的物种有待人们发现。（详见虾虎鱼科分类表）
一些虾虎鱼种类与掘穴的虾类共生。虾负责打理两者共同居住的洞穴。小虾的视力不及虾虎鱼，但如果它看见或感觉到虾虎突然游回洞穴，它便能跟着缩回。虾虎鱼和小虾总是保持着联系, 虾通过其触角触碰虾虎, 当有危险时，虾虎轻拍尾鳍以示警告。这类虾虎因此有时又叫'看门虾虎'。代表屬有丝虾虎鱼屬 Cryptocentrus, Amblyeleostris等。
另一种共生现象可以在鮈虾虎魚（Gobiosoma spp.）看到。它们都扮演了清洁工的角色，为各种大鱼清除皮肤、鳍、口和鳃中的寄生虫。这种共生关系最令人惊讶的就是许多来到"清洁厂"的鱼类在其它情况下会将这样的小鱼当作美味。（如 groupers 和 snappers）。
塘鳢隶屬于塘鳢科（Eleotridae），与虾虎鱼科 Gobiidae 十分接近。和“真”虾虎鱼相似，它们通常是体型小的海产鱼类，生活于底层水域。经常藏身植物、洞穴或岩石和珊瑚的缝隙中。尽管它们与虾虎鱼在许多方面类似，但塘鳢没有腹鳍吸盘，加上其它形态学差异，就可以区分这两个科。多数人相信 Gobiidae 和 Eleotridae来自共同的祖先, 因此它们和其它一些类似虾虎的鱼类被同置于虾虎鱼亚目Gobioidei当中。
Dormitator 和 Eleotris 是两个分布最广泛的屬, 包含了各种生活于海洋、河口和淡水的种。例如，Dormitator maculatus可长至（30 cm）长，广泛分布于美国东南部和墨西哥的浅海区。还有一些肉食性的塘鳢可以生长至更大, 例如东南亚淡水的Oxyeleotris marmorata, 可长达（60 cm）。然而，多数种都较小, 例如澳大利亚的淡水和咸水种类Hypseleotris spp., 当地称为 "gudgeons" （不要与欧亚淡水的鲤科鱼类 Gobio gobio 混淆）。
虾虎鱼即指鱼类分类学鰕虎目中的虾虎鱼科（Gobiidae），又作鰕虎科。它是鱼类中最大的科之一，已知品種超过2000种。绝大多数体型細小，一般短于10厘米。世界上最短小的脊椎動物要數微蝦虎魚（Trimmatom nanus）和矮蝦虎魚（Pandaka pygmaea）也屬虾虎鱼科，它们成大后也短于1厘米。体型较大的虾虎魚有拟虾虎鱼（Gobioides）种类和斑駁尖塘鱧，体长可達30厘米，但這是少有的例外。尽管虾虎鱼本身不是人们的重要食物来源，但它们却是许多经济鱼类（如鳕鱼、黑线鳕、黑鲈和比目鱼等）的重要食糧。有些虾虎鱼还是很受水族馆欢迎的种类，如短虾虎鱼屬（Brachygobius）的种类等。
虾虎鱼类最突出的形态特征就是其腹鳍愈合成一吸盘状。该吸盘的功能与鮣的背鳍吸盘和圆鳍鱼科的腹鳍吸盘类似，但在解剖上是十分不同的结构，因此只是趋同进化的结果。经常可以看到野生的虾虎鱼以吸盘吸附在岩石或珊瑚上，在水族箱中它们也很乐意吸在鱼缸的玻璃上。
虾虎鱼基本上生存于浅海环境，包括潮间带水坑、珊瑚礁和海草牧场，也大量存在于海水和河口栖息地，包括河流下游、红树林湿地和盐沼地。只有少数种类可完全适应于淡水环境，當中包括亚洲河流中的吻虾虎鱼屬（Rhinogobius）、澳大利亚沙漠的雷虾虎鱼（Redigobius）及欧洲的淡水虾虎鱼（Padagobius martensii）。
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