Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814)

Neogobius melanostomus View in CoL

Common name. Round goby.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Neogobius entering freshwater in West Asia by: ● first dorsal with large black spot on posterior part / ● 45–54+2–3 scales in midlateral series / ○ first branched ray of second dorsal about as long as penultimate ray. Size up to 220 mm SL.

Distribution. Azov, Black Sea, Marmara and Caspian basins. Invasive in North America, Volga, Baltic, Black, and North Sea basins reached by shipping channels or direct introductions. No records of invasion in West Asia.

Habitat. Coastal habitats, estuaries, brackish and freshwater lagoons and lakes, large rivers, canals, and harbors on sandy or rocky bottoms. Up to 50–60 m deep in Black Sea in winter. Mostly found on well-vegetated or rocky bottoms.

Biology. Lives up to 4 years. Male spawn for first time at 3–4 years, female at 2–3 and 55–80 mm SL. In invasive areas, mature at a smaller size, i.e. 45 mm SL. Spawns April–September. Nuptial male almost completely black. Female may repeat spawning every 18–20 days during a season. Adhesive eggs laid under or between stones, shells and aquatic vegetation. Male guard eggs until hatching in 2–3 weeks. Male usually die after spawning season. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and small fish, mainly molluscs. Egg clutches are sometimes transported attached to the hulls of ships.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Tsepkin et al. 1992 (invasion); Charlebois et al. 1997 (review); Wiesner et al. 2000 (invasion); Pinchuk et al. 2003c (biology, description); Balážová-L’avrinčíková & Kováč 2007 (reproduction in invasive range).

Lake Sapanca in Türkiye is the habitat of both Neogobius species, as well as Babka gymnotrachelus , Proterorhinus semilunaris , and Knipowitschia caucasica .