The Arrow Goby is a significant component of the diet of non-breeding Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) around Humboldt Bay, California, U.S.A. (Leeman et al. 2001).
The Arrow Goby is often found inhabiting the burrows of several invertebrate species, including the ghost shrimp Neotrypaea californiensis (=Callianassa californiensis), the mud shrimp Upogebia pugettensis, and the fat innkeeper worm Urechis caupo (an echiuran worm). The goby uses the burrows as a refuge from predators and desiccation (drying out) at low tides. In a study in Coos Bay, Oregon, during the late spring and the summer Arrow Gobies were found in the field in shallow pools with less than 3 cm of water, as well as in occupied and unoccupied N. californiensis burrows. The gobies were found lower intertidally in the spring, were found higher intertidally in the summer, and were not found intertidally in the fall and winter. The presence of N. californiensis may inhibit the presence of Arrow Gobies in the burrow, since the ghost shrimp were often observed chasing the gobies out of the burrows. Field observations indicate that the Arrow Gobiess may be using the N. californiensis burrows as a refuge, but only during the spring and summer. There is some controversy in the literature over where Arrow Goby eggs are laid. Some authors have stated that the nonadhesive eggs are laid in large groups, presumably outside the burrows, with the eggs then sinking into the sediments. However, at least one author has suggested that this goby lays its eggs inside burrows, athough not necessarily in the burrows of N. californiensis. If the eggs survive in areas other than N. californiensis burrows, and the adult Arrow Gobies do not always coinhabit burrows with N. californiensis, then the two species may be facultative associates, as seems likely. However, if the eggs survive only in N. californiensis burrows, then this might be an obligate association. Neotrypaea californiensis clearly provides shelter for the Arrow Goby, but no data are available on whether N. californiensis benefits at all from its association with the goby in this relationship (it likely does not, given that the ghost shrimp often behave aggressively toward the gobies). However, there is also no evidence that the ghost shrimp suffers any harm as a result of its association with the Arrow Goby. Thus, this relationship is likely a commensal one (i.e., one partner--in this case, the goby--benefits and the other partner experiences no significant benefit or harm). (Hoffman 1981)
In contrast to most gobies, the Arrow Goby does not build a nest or care for its young. Eggs are distributed over a considerable area, with a spawning peak from March to June. The Arrow Goby uses burrows for shelter and can be collected at low tide by digging. (Eschmeyer et al. 1983).
The Arrow Goby (Clevelandia ios) is a small estuarine fish found around sand and mud bottoms from British Columbia (Canada) to north-central Baja (Mexico) (Boschung et al. 1983; Eschmeyer et al. 1983). Like most gobies, the Arrow Goby is a small (less than 6 cm), bottom-dwelling fish with its pelvic fins united to form a cuplike sucking disk. The Arrow Goby has a relatively wide gap between its dorsal fins and a large mouth (the jaw extends well beyond the eye) (Eschmeyer et al. 1983). It is often found inhabiting the burrows of several invertebrate species, including the ghost shrimp Neotrypaea californiensis (=Callianassa californiensis), the mud shrimp Upogebia pugettensis, and the fat innkeeper worm Urechis caupo. The goby uses the burrows as a refuge from predators and desiccation (drying out) at low tides. (Hoffman 1981)
The Arrow Goby is found from British Columbia (Canada) to north-central Baja (Mexico) (Boschung et al. 1983; Eschmeyer et al. 1983).
The Arrow Goby is found around sand and mud bottoms, ranging from marine to fresh water. It is common in estuaries, lagoons, and tidal sloughs. (Eschmeyer et al. 1983)
Both juveniles and adults are found in large estuaries, where they are benthic (bottom-dwelling) and can be found year-round in muddy burrows of various invertebrates. Larvae are principally estuarine, but may also be found in coastal waters to at least 0.5 km offshore, although generally at less than 18 fathoms deep. (Dawson et al. 2002 and references therein).
The Arrow Goby is annual in southern California (U.S.A.), but lives 2 to 3 years in Puget Sound, Washington State (U.S.A.) (Dawson et al. 2002 and references therein).
The Cheekspot Goby (Ilypnus gilberti) has a dark spot on the gill cover and a shorter jaw than the Arrow Goby (not extending past the eye in the Cheekspot Goby). Young Arrow Gobies may be confused with several other long-jawed gobies. (Eschmeyer et al. 1983)
Like most gobies, the Arrow Goby (Clevelandia ios) is a small (less than 6 cm), bottom-dwelling fish with its pelvic fins united to form a cuplike sucking disk. The Arrow Goby has a relatively wide gap between its dorsal fins and a large mouth (the jaw extends well beyond the eye). The anal fin is relatively long. The general color is olive or tan to gray, speckled with black. Some individuals have white spots on the side and head. The dorsal fins have dotted stripes. Males usually have a black stripe on the anal fin (a stripe is rarely present in females). (Eschmeyer et al. 1983)
The Arrow Goby (Clevelandia ios) prefers a salinity of between 15 and 35 parts per thousand (ppt), but it can tolerate salinities ranging from 0 to 55 ppt (Dawson et al 2002 and references therein).
Clevelandia ios has been shown to contain neurotoxin in its tissues, but this toxin has not been characterized, nor has its specific distribution in the body been determined, and the biological significance of this toxin has not been investigated (Elam and Fuhrman 1977).
MacGinitie (1934) estimated that the density of Clevelandia ios at one site was about 1 per square foot and reported that with a few dips of a net he was able to collect over 500 from a small pool about 3 X 8 feet where they had congregated when the tide was out.
Fecundity of Clevelandia ios has been estimated at around 3 × 102 to 1.2 × 103 eggs, with eggs laid in multiple batches. Reproduction is year-round, peaking in late-winter to early summer. Estimated larval duration is 2 to 4 weeks. (Dawson et al. 2002 and references therein)
The arrow goby (Clevelandia ios) is a species of goby native to marine and brackish waters of the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California. This species grows to a length of 6.4 centimetres (2.5 in) SL, though most do not exceed 4.2 centimetres (1.7 in) TL. This fish can also be found displayed in public aquaria. This species is the only known member of its genus.[1]
The arrow goby is a small, pale grey, translucent fish which grows to 6.4 centimetres (2.5 in) in length. It has two dorsal fins; the first is the shorter and has 4-5 spines while the dorsal fin has 15-17 soft fin rays. The anal fin is about equal in length to the second dorsal fin and has 14-17 fin rays. Like other gobies, the caudal fin is rounded and the pectoral fins form a cone which the goby uses to prop the anterior part of its body above the substrate. Its scales are minute, and the mouth extends beyond to the eye. The dorsal fins have short horizontal stripes and the body is pale brownish-grey in colour with darker mottling.[2]
Arrow gobies are found along the Pacific Coast of North America, from the Rivers Inlet in British Columbia to Baja California.[1]
The arrow goby occurs in sand or mud substrates, where it uses burrows created by invertebrates as shelters when it is threatened and as a refuge at low tide.[1] Some of the species which make burrows used by arrow gobies include the shrimps Neotrypaea californiensis and Upogebia pugettensis and the fat innkeeper worm Urechis caupo.[2] It is a common species of estuaries, lagoons and tidal sloughs, and it has been reported in freshwater. The adults feed on diatoms, green algae, tintinnids, and the eggs and young of the host shrimp or prawn. This species will place large food items close to crabs so that the crab will tear it into smaller pieces. Arrow gobies are prey for Sebastes, staghorn sculpin, whitespot greenling and terns. This species does not build a nest or provide any care for its offspring,[1] and the eggs are dispersed into the water column. The underside of this goby is silvery, and when threatened, they use this to make a brief signal to other gobies before quickly taking refuge in the burrow.[2] This is also used to signal for mates. The individuals of this species are protogynous hermaphrodites; young adults are females and as they mature they become male.[2]
The generic name Clevelandia honours the lawyer Daniel Cleveland (1838–1929), who was a founder and president of the San Diego Natural History Society and who made significant contributions to the knowledge of the flora and fauna of southern California.[3] Over a dozen plants – including the Cleveland sage and another genus Clevelandia – were also named after him.[4]
The specific name ios is an Ancient Greek word for an arrow: ἰός. It refers to the slender fish's long body that is reminiscent of an arrow.[5]
The arrow goby (Clevelandia ios) is a species of goby native to marine and brackish waters of the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California. This species grows to a length of 6.4 centimetres (2.5 in) SL, though most do not exceed 4.2 centimetres (1.7 in) TL. This fish can also be found displayed in public aquaria. This species is the only known member of its genus.
