The Rock Goby (Gobius paganellus) is a small, common goby species found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular choice for home aquariums due to its vibrant coloration and relatively peaceful nature.
Description & Characteristics
The Rock Goby (Gobius paganellus) is a small fish, reaching a maximum size of 13.0 centimeters. It is characterized by its elongated body and a slightly compressed head. The coloration of the Rock Goby (Gobius paganellus) can vary, ranging from brown to grey with darker spots and stripes. It is often found in shallow waters, making it a common sight for divers and snorkelers.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Rock Goby (Gobius paganellus) is primarily found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the British Isles to Morocco. It typically inhabits rocky shores, tidal pools, and sheltered areas with abundant seaweed. This species prefers shallow water, with a depth range of 0.0 to 15.0 meters. This makes it a common inhabitant of the infralittoral zone, the marine environment located between the low and high tide marks.
Taxonomy
The species Gobius paganellus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Gobiiformes, and Family: Gobiidae. The Gobiidae family is a large and diverse group, containing over 2000 species of gobies. This family is known for its small size and bottom-dwelling habits, with many species living in shallow, coastal waters.
Feeding
The Rock Goby (Gobius paganellus) is a carnivorous fish that primarily feeds on small invertebrates. Its diet consists of brine shrimps, crustaceans, and worms. In an aquarium setting, they can be fed frozen food, such as mysis shrimp, as well as live food like zoobenthos.
Image References