Adriatic Dwarf Goby

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: no posterior oculoscapular canal; anterior extremity of anterior oculoscapular canal in front of middle of eye; body of live breeding males with dark spots or bars; back unscaled in front of ray 4-8 of second dorsal; total scales in midlateral series 32-39 (Ref. 59043).

Eggs are found on undersurface of Cerastoderma valves (Ref. 4696). A multiple spawner, with 10-15 day cycle during the breeding season (Ref. 4696).

A short-lived species (less than 2 years) which inhabits shallow, well vegetated habitats - streams, lakes, estuaries, lagoons, lower reaches of rivers, springs and brooks. Feeds on invertebrates. Spawns after first winter in April-August.; females may spawn every 10-15 days during the season. Males defend eggs in cavities under stones, plant material or shells; may overturn and clean suitable shells for spawning and these are then covered with substrate. Postlarvae are pelagic (Ref. 59043).

fisheries: of no interest

Knipowitschia panizzae, the Adriatic dwarf goby, is a species of goby native to the coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas where it has been recorded in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia with records from Greece needing to be confirmed. It prefers fresh and brackish waters with plentiful vegetation. This species can reach a length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in) TL. It is not known who the specific name honours but it is thought likely to be the Italian anatomist Bartolomeo Panizza (1785-1867), who studied the post-reproductive mortality of male sea lampreys.