Green Goby: Facts & Habitat

About Green Goby

Green goby is a small bottom-associated marine fish recorded along the United States Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Maryland to Texas. FishBase excludes the eastern Florida stretch between Cape Canaveral and Cape Sable from its stated range.

NativeSalt10 states

Appearance

The body is compressed, with a large, nearly upright mouth and joined pelvic fins. Its general gray-brown color can include bright iridescent blue or yellow areas. The body is fully scaled and the first dorsal fin has seven spines.

Sources: Microgobius thalassinus species summary

Habitat

The species is reported from very shallow water, to about 6 m, including mangrove streams over fine silt and mud. Its habitat and appearance overlap those of related Microgobius gobies, so a vivid patch of color alone is not a reliable identification character.

Sources: Microgobius thalassinus species summary

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Microgobius thalassinus species summary — FishBase

Range

Where it lives

93.3%of mapped records

Share of 7,138 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 10 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water: WoRMS records this species in the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Superclass: Actinopterygii
Class: Teleostei
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Microgobius
Species: Microgobius thalassinus
ITIS TSN: 171809
WoRMS AphiaID: 158805
GBIF key: 2376660

Common questions about Green Goby

What is the scientific name of Green Goby?

The scientific name is Microgobius thalassinus, in the family Gobiidae. Classification follows ITIS.

Does Green Goby live in fresh water or salt water?

WoRMS records this species in the sea.

Where has Green Goby been recorded in the United States?

GBIF has observations in 10 states, with the most records in Texas, Alabama, Florida. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives