Living in the Baltic Sea

Habitat
In their native range they generally inhabit near shore areas, but will migrate during the winter months to depths of up to 50 m.
Food
Feeds mainly on invertebrates and crustaceans nocturnally.

Spawning
Age:Female 2-3 years old, male a year later.
Season: May-September
Number of eggs: Egg clutches can contain up to 5 000 eggs.

Round Gobies are multi-spawners; females can mate 2-4 times during the spawning season. The nests, built and guarded by the male, require solid elements such as stones, rocks, parts of wood, roots of vascular plants, even dumped waste is sometimes used. Several females can lay their eggs in one nest. After the mating and nest defense period, the males die.

Status and Human Impact
This species entered the Baltic Sea around 1990 from the Black and Caspian Seas by way of the rivers, into the Gulf of Gdańsk. From here it has spread into other southern regions of the Baltic. They are used in aquariums and occasionally for bait. Round Gobies are aggressive toward other fish and may drive native fish away from prime spawning areas. They out-compete native fish for food due partially to an ability to feed in darkness and to the presence of a suctorial disk located on their pelvic fin which allows them to attach to rocks/substrates and remain fixed on the bottom even in faster currents. CLOSE