Fin's Fish Guide
The Syrman goby (Ponticola syrman) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 25 cm.
Ponto-Caspian region: brackish and fresh water of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea, on soft bottoms of lagoons, estuaries and lower reaches of rivers.
Description
The Syrman goby is a Ponto-Caspian goby of the family Gobiidae reaching about 25 cm. The brown-mottled body has a relatively large head; like other gobies the pelvic fins are fused into a sucking disc, with which the fish clings to the bottom. The species lives on soft sand and mud bottoms of brackish and fresh water of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, mainly in lagoons, estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers, where it tolerates strongly varying salinity. As a bottom-dweller it hunts small crustaceans, molluscs, worms and small fish. The male defends a territory and in spring guards the eggs laid under a shell or stone. Locally it is landed as bycatch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Syrman goby?
The Syrman goby has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Ponto-Caspian goby with a brown marbled body and a large head; lives on soft bottoms of brackish coastal waters and lagoons.
Where does the Syrman goby live?
The Syrman goby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Ponto-Caspian region: brackish and fresh water of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea, on soft bottoms of lagoons, estuaries and lower reaches of rivers.
How big does the Syrman goby get?
The Syrman goby grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.
Is the Syrman goby dangerous to humans?
No, the Syrman goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Syrman goby edible?
The Syrman goby is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Ponticola
More from the family Gobiidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Syrman goby is one of 12,519 species in the app.