Gobiinae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gobiinae
Didogobius schlieweni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Gobiiformes
Family:	Gobiidae
Subfamily:	Gobiinae G. Cuvier, 1816

True gobies are a huge group of fish that belong to the goby family called Gobiidae. They live in all the world's oceans, and some even live in rivers and lakes. Most true gobies prefer warm waters. There are about 1,149 known species of true gobies, spread across 160 different groups called genera. Scientists are still finding new kinds of gobies all the time!

About True Gobies

What Do They Look Like?

True gobies are usually small to medium-sized ray-finned fish. Some are super colorful, while others are very good at hiding by blending in with their surroundings. Most true gobies grow to be less than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long.

The biggest true goby is called Glossogobius giuris. It can grow up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) long! The smallest known species, Trimmatom nanus, is only about 1 centimeter long when it's fully grown. This makes it one of the tiniest vertebrate animals on Earth.

Many true gobies have special pelvic fins that have grown together. These fins form a kind of suction cup. They use this suction cup to stick tightly to rocks or other surfaces. Most gobies also have two dorsal fins on their back. The first one has spiny rays, and the second has some spines followed by many soft rays.

Where Do They Live?

True gobies are most common in warm, tropical and subtropical parts of the world. But as a group, you can find them almost everywhere in marine ecosystems (the ocean). Some species can even live in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water. A few kinds, like Padogobius and Pomatoschistus species, live only in fresh water.

Most adult gobies live on the bottom of the water, which is called being benthic. Their eggs can travel far with ocean currents. One type of goby, Sufflogobius bibarbatus, is known to swim freely in the open water (called pelagic) for its whole life. Most gobies like to live in a burrow or a small crack. They can also be a bit territorial, meaning they like to protect their space.

Cool Facts About Gobies

Sometimes, gobies live in special partnerships called symbioses with other animals. For example, some gobies share burrows with crustaceans like shrimp. The shrimp digs the burrow, and the goby acts as a lookout, warning the shrimp if danger is near.

Larger true gobies are sometimes caught and eaten by people. Some are even fished on a large scale for food. Many species of true gobies are very popular as aquarium fish. People especially love the colorful ones. Their interesting behavior and bold personalities make them attractive pets.

However, gobies can be a bit tricky to keep as pets. They are carnivorous, meaning they eat meat, and usually need live food to stay healthy. Also, because they are often territorial, they might not get along with other fish in a tank. Many ocean fish, including some gobies, are very hard to breed in captivity. Sadly, some goby species have become rare because their homes are being destroyed or because too many are being caught by overfishing.

Images for kids

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  Gammogobius steinitzi

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  Microgobius gulosus in a threatening pose

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  Odondebuenia balearica

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  Pleurosicya boldinghi on a sea pen

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  Rhinogobiops nicholsii can change its color, but the black dorsal fin spot stays the same.

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  Thorogobius ephippiatus