Round goby
Neogobius melanostomus
Where at Shedd?
At Home on the Great Lakes
| Diet | Invertebrates and small fishes, prefers molluscs |
|---|---|
| Size | Length: Up to 9.7 inches (24.6 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | Caspian, Black, Azov Seas |
| Habitat | Rivers and lakes of eastern Europe, Black and Caspian Seas; invasive in the United States |
Did you know?
- Swept into ship’s ballast tanks in the Black Sea in Europe, round gobies then got dumped in the Great Lakes.
- Look at the round goby’s lower front fins. They’re fused, forming a suction cup that helps the fish stick on rocks in rough waters.
- This invasive little fish is quite feisty—chasing native fishes away from their food and nests.
- Round gobies multiply quickly, pushing out native sculpins and darters, and eating perch and bass eggs.