Gobiidae
The Gobiidae are a family of perciform fish, with over 2,000 species in over 200 genera. They are the most diverse family of fishes, and are found in all tropical and subtropical waters, including the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Baltic Sea. The family also includes the largest number of freshwater fishes of any family, with many species found in rivers, lakes, and estuaries worldwide.
Common Names
Gobies are commonly known as gobies or groundlings. They are also known as mudskippers in the case of amphibious species that can survive out of water for extended periods.
Characteristics
Gobies are typically small, with most species being less than 10 cm in length. The largest species, the giant goby (Gobius cobitis), can reach up to 60 cm in length. Gobies have a characteristic elongated body shape and a large head with a protruding lower jaw. They also have a single dorsal fin that is often divided into two parts, and a pair of pelvic fins that are fused together to form a suction cup. This suction cup allows them to attach themselves to rocks, coral, and other surfaces.
Gobies are generally carnivores, and feed on small invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. However, there are some species that are herbivores, and others that are omnivores.
Environments
Gobies are found in a wide variety of habitats, including rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Many species are also found in freshwater habitats, such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Gobies are often found in association with other species, such as shrimps, crabs, and sea anemones. Some species of gobies have symbiotic relationships with these other animals. For example, some gobies live in burrows with shrimps, and the gobies warn the shrimps of danger, while the shrimps provide the gobies with food and protection.
References
For more information about gobies, you can consult the following websites: