BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Pomatoschistus microps
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Karen Riley	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Angus Jackson
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Pomatoschistus microps	Common name	Common goby
MCS Code	ZG478	Recent Synonyms	None

Phylum	Chordata	Subphylum	Vertebrata
Superclass	Gnathostomata	Class	Osteichthyes
Subclass	Teleostei	Order	Perciformes
Suborder		Family	Gobiidae
Genus	Pomatoschistus	Species	microps
Subspecies

Additional Information	Pomatoschistus microps was once confused with the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus but the common goby has a dark mark at the top of the base of the pectoral fin (Dipper, 2001). Pomatoschistus microps is a very abundant fish able to tolerate a wide range of salinity. However, it prefers low salinity areas. It resides throughout the British Isles in estuaries, saltmarshes, along the coastline and in intertidal pools. Its worldwide distribution extends from the Baltic Sea, western Norway to the western Mediterranean. The common goby migrates downstream, or into shallow waters, mainly at the onset of the breeding season, in spring.
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Froese & Pauly, 2000(d), Dipper, 2001,