Knipowitschia caucasica (Berg, 1916)
Caucasian dwarf goby
Knipowitschia caucasica
photo by Naseka, A.M.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 2 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Eurasia: along the coasts of Black, Azov, Caspian and Aegean seas west to Aliakmon drainage (Greece). Identity of the population along the eastern shore of Adriatic is questionable. Introduced in the Aral Sea and is now extirpated.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 31-32. Anterior oculoscapular, preopercular, and sometimes posterior oculoscapular, canals present; body squamation complete on caudal peduncle and along at least lateral midline to axil. Males with 4-5 major vertical bars.
Biology:  Inhabit fresh to hyper-saline waters (to 55 ppt) of lakes, estuaries and lagoons, in shallow areas with much weed. Feed on small crustaceans and chironomid larvae (Ref.12215); larvae of the mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Ref. 59043). Lives less than 2 years. Spawns after first winter. Eggs are attached to the roof of a cavity under stones, plant material or shells and are defended by male. Postlarvae are pelagic. (Ref.59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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