Fischatlas
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Round goby

Schwarzmund-Grundel

Scientific name: Neogobius melanostomus

IntroducedFreshwater

Behavior

A highly adaptable, bottom-dwelling, relatively sedentary fish living in fresh and brackish water. Prefers gravel, rock, or stone substrate. Juveniles feed mainly on arthropods, adults increasingly on molluscs such as zebra mussels. Males are territorial and can spawn multiple times from spring to autumn, guarding the eggs.

Features

Usually about 20 cm long. Native to the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Caspian Sea, spread via ship ballast water.

Distribution

In Germany the species has invasively colonized the Elbe, Weser, and the Rhine and Main. Also present on the North Sea (since 2008) and Baltic coasts. One of Europe's most successful invasive fish species.