Observations on the biology of the giant goby <i>Gobius Cobitis</i> Pallas

Abstract

The biology of the giant goby, Gobius cobitis Pallas, from a rocky shore in Brittany is described. The fish inhabits tidepools on the upper part of the shore and feeds mainly on algae and Crustacea. It attains an age of at least 10 years and grows to about 230 mm in total length. Breeding occurs in spring and early summer and females spawn twice each season. Fecundity varies from approximately 2 to 12,000 and is dependent upon size. The food and growth is briefly compared with that of a Mediterranean population.