Gobies

Gobies are small, secretive fish with:

• Elongated bodies.
• Large mouths and large, closely set eyes on the top of the head.
• Two separate dorsal fins.
• Modified pelvic fins that act as suction discs.

Gobies grow to about 2 inches long.

What species of gobies live in the Chesapeake Bay?

Three species of gobies are common to the Chesapeake Bay:

• The naked goby, Gobiosoma bosci, has a scaleless body that is dark greenish-brown on top and pale below with light-colored bars running along the sides.
• The seaboard goby, Gobiosoma ginsburgi, has no scales except for two on each side of the base of the tail. It has a brownish body with whitish crossbars. Dark, irregular spots form a line along either side of the body.
• The green goby, Microgobius thalassinus, has scales on the back part of the body. It is the most colorful goby in the Chesapeake Bay: males are greenish-blue with a reddish dorsal fin, orange to yellow pelvic fins and a white-edged anal fin with dark spots on the border; while females have a gold-colored head, gold-blue bands underneath the eyes, bluish-green sides and a large black spot on the back of the dorsal fin.

Where do gobies live?

Gobies can be found year-round throughout most of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, usually around oyster reefs and other aquatic communities.

• Naked gobies are the most abundant goby in the Bay, extending to the tidal fresh waters of Havre de Grace, Maryland. They are found in shallow waters around vegetation and oyster reefs, as well as among growth on rocks, pilings and seawalls. In winter, they move to deep channels or bury themselves in the muddy bottom.
• Seaboard gobies are common in the lower Bay and range to the upper Bay. They are the most common goby in the Bay's open waters. They move to deep channels in the winter.
• Green gobies are found throughout the Bay and the lower tidal portions of most tributaries. They are often found around colonies of redbeard sponges.

What do gobies eat?

Gobies feed mostly on small crustaceans.

How do gobies reproduce?

Gobies spawn from May through late fall.

• Females lay bundles of small, oval-shaped, amber-colored eggs inside of empty oyster shells.
• The male goby guards the eggs until they hatch.
• Planktonic goby larvae school around oyster reefs before settling into the reefs.

Other facts about gobies:

• Though abundant, gobies are quite secretive and are not easily found.
• Goby habits are similar to those of blennies and skilletfish.