Gobius vittatus
Size range: 4-6cm
Common size: 4-5 cm
Depth range: 20-40 m (range of 15-85m)
Habitat:
- Hard - mostly coralligenous, mixed rock and sand bottom, characterized by steep or medium slope
Water column position:
- Benthic
Schooling characteristics:
- Solitary
Colors & patterns:
- Pale with dark brown stripe
- In rare cases the typical pattern is replaced with cross bands
- Cannot be confused with other gobies, but is somewhat similar in pattern to striped blenny (Parablennius rouxi )
Behavior:
- Whether the species is:
- Reef-associated - related to sites it inhabits
2. Activity:
- Diurnal
3. Approach:
- Indifferent - until it retreats to hide
4. Unique behavior:
Often rests in the open next to retreat cavity
5. Feeding characteristic - crustaceavore, omnivore. Gobius vittatus is a carnivore and generalist which feeds on a wide variety of prey items, particularly on polychaetes, gastropods, copepods, ostracods and bivalves
Native/Exotic: Native
EM notes: description of special east Mediterranean characteristics.