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Two-spotted Goby (Gobiusculus flavescens)

The two-spotted goby is a small goby species which is common all around the

British Isles.

The two-spotted goby is a slender fish which rarely exceeds 7 – 8cm in length.

Colour can be red, green, brownish or pink/orange and the name of this species

derives from the two spots which are present – one behind the gills and one just

in front of the tail (although the tail spot may be absent in females). In the

breeding season, the colour of the males can become extremely bright with the

fins streaked with bright blue and other colours. The two-spotted goby is generally found over sandy sea beds, especially where there is sea grass or other marine vegetation present

Steven’s Goby (Gobius gasteveni)

A medium-sized goby which can grow to around 12 – 13cm. The Steven’s goby is generally found around the south and west of the UK and is not often found around the rest of the country. The Steven's goby can be recognised by its pale grey to fawn colouration, the four brownish midlateral blotches below the second dorsal fin and by the white spots on the cheek and opercle.

The Steven’s goby is species is found in deeper water, usually around thirty metres of depth down to several hundred metres, usually over

sandy or muddy sea beds. Relatively little is known about the breeding, feeding and life cycle of Steven’s goby, and although it is a relatively rare species the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) class this as a species of Least Concern.

Painted Goby (Pomatoschistus pictus)

This stunning Goby is relatively small, with most adult fish being only about 6cm in length although some may grow to 9.5cm. It is a fawn-brown colour with a row of four double dark brown spots along the sides. The dorsal fin has rows of dark brown-black spots interspersed with bands of iridescent blue and rosy pink.

The painted goby is usually found on coarse sand or gravel from the low shore to depths of approximately 50m. This species can be found all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland with the exclusion of the east coast of England.