Pomatoschistus norvegicus (Collett, 1902)
Norway goby
photo by Miller, P.J.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 18 - 325 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Lofoten to western English Channel (Ref. 4696). Questionable in the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 13729).
Diagnosis:  Distinguished by the following characteristics: dark spot in rear end of first dorsal fin. Scales on the back of first dorsal fin, no scales on breast (Ref. 35388); fins: Dl VI, D2 1/8 - 9 (8: 1, 9:4), A 1/9, P 16 - 17 (16: 1,17: 4), C 15 principle rays (12 branched rays), V I/5+5/I; scales: abraded, breast naked (no scale pockets); narrow attachment of the branchiostegal membrane on the isthmus; lateral line system: anterior section of row i and supralabial section of row d in single series; longitudinal suborbital row b anteriorly ending below anterior third to half of eye; suborbital transversal rows c2 and c4 penetrating through longitudinal row d, last row c passing row d; male specimen shows the characteristic colouration with a black spot in the rear of Dl and 11 dark vertical striae on the sides, pigmented breast and ventral disc (Ref. 86376).
Biology:  Found offshore on mud and coarse shell deposits (Ref. 4696). Can hybridize with Pomatoschistus lozanoi (Ref. 35388).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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