Naked Goby

Description

The naked goby is usually less than two inches in length and lacks scales. The pelvic fins of the naked goby are linked together by a membrane, fitting the purpose of a sucker-like disk. The fin also reaches a point between the base and the anus. It ranges in color from a pale yellow to a murky brown, and is variably marked along its body with nine to ten vertical bars, which may not be visible in individuals with very light or dark body coloration.

Distribution and habitat

Generally, naked gobies live in estuaries and coastal waters. It is noted that naked gobies may bury themselves in bottom sediments in the winter. The naked goby is found in the Western Atlantic from Connecticut to Mexico. It lives almost exclusively in habitats with brackish water. Younger members of the species are commonly found in estuaries south of New Jersey and only sporadically in estuaries north of New Jersey.

Reproduction

They tend to reproduce from May to November. They are oviparous, meaning that they lay eggs. The females are known to lay their eggs in empty oyster shells. It is then up to the males to guard the eggs until they hatch. After they hatch, the free swimming larvae may migrate upstream and school over oyster reefs before settling.

Feeding

With a terminal mouth and being bottom dwelling fish they are known to eat worms and small crustaceans. However, it has been seen that they are attracted to injured or dead oysters.

Additional field notes

The naked goby is a tiny, bottom-associated coastal fish whose name refers to its lack of scales. Oyster habitat is a particularly useful place to look for this inconspicuous species.

Sources: Gobiosoma bosc species account

Field identification notes

The head is rounded and broader than it is deep. The body carries pale, nearly vertical bars against a light-to-dark brown background, while the fins are generally dusky. The pelvic fins form a rounded disk. The Smithsonian gives a size of about six centimeters.

Sources: Gobiosoma bosc species account

Habitat and range notes

This goby is frequently associated with oyster beds, but also occurs in seagrass, rocky areas, sea squirts, and marsh pools. It tolerates a broad span of estuarine salinities. The regional distribution extends from Massachusetts to the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

Sources: Gobiosoma bosc species account

Feeding and life-history notes

Small crustaceans, insects, and worms are recorded as foods. Several other small gobies can be confused with it, especially Gobiosoma robustum. The Smithsonian highlights differences in the body bars, pelvic fins, and head pores. A photograph of a tiny brown fish without those details may justify a goby identification without resolving the species.

Sources: Gobiosoma bosc species account