Gobius paganellus

Fabio Russo Are you watching me? Gobius paganellus: Nikon Coolpix 8400, +10 mcro lens, 85 mm equivalent f7,7 1/250, 1 ikelite ds 50

Rob Maller Nice !!

Fabio Russo Thanks Rob, and thanks to all ;)

Chris Barrett This terrible photo is of what was inside a 48mm gobius paganellus. Any ideas? All I can tell you is that the pieces are hollow, pretty rigid, round with a slight point to some of them. One piece had antennae too, but can find nothing more to go off. Sorry for the bad quality!!

Chris Barrett Almost like segments of an elongated carapace

Marco Faasse Sure. Probably the remains of an amphipod.

Chris Barrett Yeah, I thought that. Perhaps too far gone to ID

Cathal McNaughton A 4cm goby found during a low spring tide. Notes I took at the time stated that pictus had 4 dark saddles on its body, I thought I was seeing that on this one?

Andy Horton The picture is not clear enough to be sure, but I tempted to think this one is Gobius paganellus ? The two dorsal fins appear to be touching.

Cathal McNaughton Cheers Andy, is that irridescent green marking on the 1st dorsal something you have seen before on paganellus, this could well be a young male, with its interesting markings.

Andy Horton The ocellated spot on the first dorsal is reminiscent of P. minutus and I have not seen it on G paganellus, so it is all very confusing.

Cathal McNaughton Another specimen. It is these 2 gobies heads in the birds eye view shot posted today also.

Andy Horton I would say this was Gobius paganellus.

Cathal McNaughton I wondered woud I find I had more than one species!? Would be interesting if I had.....

Andy Horton Note that the two dorsal fins are almost touching. In the Pomatoschistus there is a gap (not checked, relying on my memory)

Cathal McNaughton I see that differernce in the 2 I have posted, thanks for this Andy.

Tony Gilbert Yesterday, we found what we think is a juvenile giant goby, Gobius cobitis. This was in North Wales, under Trefor Pier, and was around 8-11cm long, in a depth of around 2m near to the breakwater inner end of the pier. Unfortunately my shots were not good as my strobe batteries were depleted, however my friend got a better shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30550682@N04/7189586159/in/photostream If this is Gobius cobitis, on checking MarLIN it seems it could be the first Welsh record, as previous records appear to be from south west England. If we can get confirmation that would be great, thanks.

Erling Svensen I am not the best one in gobies, but my pictures from Ireland of Gobius paganellus looks like this?

Chris Barrett I'd be inclined to go with Gobius paganellus, due to the banding along the dorsal fins

Tony Gilbert We don't think its a rock goby as the markings are different - and we've seen many rock gobies. The markings almost match a giant goby. We checked images on MarLIN. Originally I thought it could be a Couchis goby, but then the markings are different on that. Sadly, my shot isn't the best, but my buddy had a better shot; he only got one off before it disappeared into the under growth.

Chris Barrett Which markings do you believe to be different? The banding on the dorsal fin of paganellus is a distinguishing feature of the species

Tony Gilbert Many gobies have similar banding on the dorsal fins. Its described as "brownish-olive pepper & salt with dark blotches below the lateral midline". Sadly a rock goby looks similar, and id in the field may prove difficult.

Chris Barrett I wouldn't say the more common species have the banding though. As far as I've seen, cobitis doesn't tend to have the banding. I could be wrong, but I've not seen a confirmed cobitis photo which has the bands

Tony Gilbert To me the dorsal bandings look very similar on this fish to that of both rock and giant, but the markings on the body below the lateral lne on this image seem to be less defined than those of the rock goby. But perhaps thats because its a juvenile? The MarLIN record for giant: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3396# I think from what you've said, then we should stick to G. paganellus.

Chris Barrett I might be wrong Tony - your best bet would be to e-mail the photo to either Frances Dipper, Paul Kay or Lin Baldock - it'd be great if it was cobitis! Douglas Herdson, Andy Horton, your thoughts?

Tony Gilbert Yes indeed, a good idea, thanks. I was consulting Paul & Frances' recent excellent book to see if I could narrow it down more. Gobies and blennies are a bit of minefield. Happy to go with the flow, am just disappointed we didn't get more and better shots. Of course, we could always go back and see if we can find it again.

Tony Gilbert Thanks for your thoughts, appreciate it.

Tony Gilbert The habitat of rock goby would certainly be Trefor Pier and we've seen what we think are Rock gobies there. Giants are usually found in rock pools and lower shores, so perhaps the habitats are very similar. The area we found it in was covered in marine weeds, kelp, sea oak, and is usually very shallow to 1-3m. The floor is mixed stones along with pieces of metal, pipes etc., small manmade blocks.

Chris Barrett Sounds like another dive's in order! :) You're welcome - please let me know what anyone who you might e-mail say

Tony Gilbert I'd rather raise a query and be wrong about it, than not show an image - because you never know :-). I'd better make the dive soon, as sadly this wonderful place - Trefor Pier - is collapsing even further now, its such a shame because its a great haven for marine life along this stretch of coast. Every year storms bring down more. Will let you know if I have any feedback outside of this forum.

Andy Horton I would go for Gobius paganellus on the facial appearance. Giant Gobies are fuller in the face.

Douglas Herdson Have just spent half an hour writing a comment only to have facebook wipe it out!!! will see if i get time on Monday.

Tony Gilbert Ok, thanks Andy. Yes, facebook does that occasionally - prob. developer-glitches :-)

Darryl Mayer Can anyone find me an ID for this beautifully dark specimen? Loch Sunart in 12m of water. Cheers

Chris Barrett My guess would be a rock goby, Gobius paganellus)

Chris Barrett The lighter band along the top of the first dorsal fin is distinguishing of this species

Andy Horton Gobius paganellus

Marco Faasse I don't know of other native gobies with a yellow/orange/ margin to the dorsal fins than the rock goby, Gobius paganellus.

Chris Barrett My comments seem to have gone, but yes, definitely Gobius paganellus

Marco Faasse Maybe too many comments at the same moment, Chris. Andy and me replied in the same second, and maybe you too.

Darryl Mayer Many thanks guys. Rock Gobies in the books I have all seem to be much lighter in shading/colour. This really was this dark/black. Cheers.

Andy Horton I think this may be the male darkening up in breeding livery. But the Rock Goby is generally blacker than the Black Goby, Gobius niger, which also goes black in breeding livery.

Sharon Hills lovely pic :-)

Andy Horton http://www.glaucus.org.uk/rockgoby.htm