The Marbled Goby, scientifically known as Pomatoschistus marmoratus, is a small, bottom-dwelling fish species found in the coastal waters of Europe. This species is characterized by its distinctive marbled pattern, giving it its common name.
Description & Characteristics
The Pomatoschistus marmoratus is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of about 8.0 cm in length. It has a slender, elongated body with a slightly flattened head. Its coloration is highly variable, but typically features a mottled pattern of brown, grey, and white markings, resembling marble. These markings help the Marbled Goby to camouflage itself against the rocky and sandy bottoms it inhabits.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Pomatoschistus marmoratus is a common inhabitant of coastal areas, typically found in shallow waters ranging in depth from 20.0 to 70.0 meters. It prefers habitats with rocky or sandy bottoms, often associated with seaweed and other marine vegetation. This species is typically found in the neritic zone, the marine environment extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Pomatoschistus marmoratus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Gobiiformes, and Family: Gobiidae. This family, known as the gobies, is a diverse group of small, typically bottom-dwelling fishes, known for their distinctive fused pelvic fins, which often function like suction cups, allowing them to cling to surfaces.
Feeding
The Pomatoschistus marmoratus is a carnivorous fish with a diet primarily composed of small invertebrates. Its diet includes a wide range of prey items such as amphipods, brine shrimp nauplii, brine shrimps, copepods, crustaceans, cyclops, daphnia salina, mosquito larvae, and zoobenthos. The Marbled Goby uses its small mouth to pick up and swallow these invertebrates from the seafloor.
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