(Ladehammeren - The Trondheim fjord / 18 meters / 8.28.2004)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Gobiidae

Scientific name: Pomatoschistus microps

 

Norwegian: leirkutling

Distribution: Like the painted goby, the common goby is distributed along the Norwegian coast, as far north as Trøndelag. maybe even further as it is quite common in the Trondheim fjord. It prefers sandy or muddy substrate, usually not deeper than 30 meters.

Characteristics:  The appearance of the common goby is very similar to the painted goby. The common goby is smaller, never exceeding a length of 6 cm. It has no scales on the top of the head, throat and neck. A relatively large dark blotch just behind the breast fin is perhaps the most obvious difference. Furthermore, it has a dark spot on the first dorsal fin. The coloration is dominated by brown patterns on a grey base.

All pictures: