Giant goby
(Gobius cobitis)
General data
The giant goby (Gobius cobitis) is a species of goby native to coastal marine and brackish waters of the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea at depths of from 10 to 35 meters (33 to 115 ft). This species is of minor importance to commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish.
The giant goby, which grows to 27 centimetres (11 in) in length, is greyish to olive-brown with pepper and salt markings. These are especially notable in smaller specimens. In the breeding season, the male is darker than the female. The body is covered in small scales, and the tail stalk is short. The eyes are small.
The giant goby inhabits rock pools high up in the intertidal zone of sheltered shores. Occupied pools typically contain boulders under which the giant goby can take shelter, and have inputs of fresh water, so the water in the pools is usually brackish.
This species has been recorded to feed upon polychaete worms, green algae of the genus Ulva, amphipods, crabs, and insects.
