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Two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) — Gobiidae

Two-spotted goby

Gobiusculus flavescens
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Atlantic and the North Sea, above seaweed and seagrass beds and around rocky coasts in shallow coastal water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The two-spotted goby is a small, slender goby of the family Gobiidae reaching about 6 cm. Unlike most gobies, which live on the bottom, this species swims freely in loose schools just above weed and seagrass beds. The red-brown, sometimes yellowish body is translucent and bears small spots; males have a conspicuous spot just behind the pectoral fin and, when breeding, a spot at the tail base. The species lives in shallow coastal water of the north-eastern Atlantic and the North Sea, around rocky shores and in seagrass beds. Hovering in the water it picks small zooplankton. In summer the male guards the eggs laid on weed. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance, but it is an important prey.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Two-spotted goby?

The Two-spotted goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Slender little goby that, unlike most gobies, swims freely in the water above seaweeds; the male with a blotch by the pectoral fin and one at the tail base.

Where does the Two-spotted goby live?

The Two-spotted goby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Northeast Atlantic and the North Sea, above seaweed and seagrass beds and around rocky coasts in shallow coastal water.

How big does the Two-spotted goby get?

The Two-spotted goby grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Two-spotted goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Two-spotted goby is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Two-spotted goby edible?

The Two-spotted goby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) — Gobiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) solvinzankl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) — Gobiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre Corbrion, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) — Gobiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Anna Renman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Two-spotted goby inferred
Scientific name
Gobiusculus flavescens
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Spotted goby

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Natural range
Northeast Atlantic and the North Sea, above seaweed and seagrass beds and around rocky coasts in shallow coastal water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton from open water sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
Seasonality
Swims in loose shoals above seaweeds in summer; the male guards the eggs deposited on seaweed. sourced
Special features
Slender little goby that, unlike most gobies, swims freely in the water above seaweeds; the male with a blotch by the pectoral fin and one at the tail base. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Gobiidae

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