Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
 
 
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Tidewater Goby

Eucyclogobius newberryi

   

Fun Facts

    The tidewater goby is an endangered species.

    Tidewater gobies, like many fish, exhibit countershading for protection.

   
 

Description

 
 

The tidewater goby is a type of bony fish that lives in coastal lagoons. They are a small species, rarely larger than 5 cm (2 inches) that prefers salinities of less than 10 ppt. The body is elongate with a blunt tail. The color is a mottled gray, brown or olive. Breeding females become tan or reddish-brown with gold-brown or dark brown sides. Females typically become even darker on their sides while fighting. Breeding males are black with small white spots on their back and sides. They feed on small crustaceans, insects, snails and various worms.

Tidewater gobies occur from Del Norte County in northern California to Agua Hedionda Lagoon in San Diego County. While once reported from many estuaries, they are now gone from many, including San Francisco Bay. The tidewater goby was listed by the state of California for protection in 1987, and federally listed in 1994.

Tidewater goby are usually found at the Aquarium in the Aquatic Nursery.

 
   
 
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