Gobius auratus
Size range: 6-10cm
Common size: 6-7cm
Depth range: 10- 30 (range of 5-70)
Habitat:
- Hard - rocky habitat mixed with sand , with plentiful growth of algae and gorgonians
Water column position:
- Benthic
Schooling characteristics:
- Solitary
Colors & patterns:
- Body entirely golden-yellow
- Breading males sometimes have dark blotch on base of pectoral fin
- Rare morph (northern Adriatic) with spots and dashes as Yellow headed goby
Behavior:
- Whether the species is:
- Reef-associated - related to sites it inhabits
2. Activity:
- Diurnal
3. Approach:
- Indifferent -when approached closely will retreat
4. Unique behavior:
Characterized by hovering in open above substrate
5. Feeding characteristic - crustaceavore, carnivore. Macrobenthos feeder, meaning they ingest small bottom dwelling creatures over 1mm in length, but they will also feed on molluscs and echinoderms
Native/Exotic: Native
EM notes: description of special east Mediterranean characteristics.