Code Goby: Facts & Habitat

About Code Goby

Code goby is a tiny fish of protected western Atlantic coastal waters. It occurs around the Gulf of Mexico from southern Texas to the Florida Keys and north along Florida’s Atlantic shore, with an additional report from Jamaica.

NativeSalt Brackish7 states

Shallow vegetation

Adults inhabit seagrass beds and mats of algae in very shallow sheltered water. Bays and rivers are also reported. Although it prefers fully marine salinity, records span freshwater to seawater conditions.

Sources: Gobiosoma robustum species summary

Size

FishBase gives a common total length just under 3 cm and a recorded maximum of 5 cm. Its small size and close association with low vegetation make a clear view of the complete fish valuable when comparing it with other small coastal gobies.

Sources: Gobiosoma robustum species summary

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Gobiosoma robustum species summary — FishBase

Range

Where it lives

54.2%of mapped records

Share of 13,406 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 7 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water: WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Superclass: Actinopterygii
Class: Teleostei
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Gobiosoma
Species: Gobiosoma robustum
ITIS TSN: 171791
WoRMS AphiaID: 276514
GBIF key: 5208826

Common questions about Code Goby

What is the scientific name of Code Goby?

The scientific name is Gobiosoma robustum, in the family Gobiidae. Classification follows ITIS.

Does Code Goby live in fresh water or salt water?

WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.

Where has Code Goby been recorded in the United States?

GBIF has observations in 7 states, with the most records in Texas, Florida, Mississippi. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives