Norwegian record Common goby: 3 g

About Common goby

The common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) is a tiny goby of shallow coasts and brackish water. It has a rounded head with eyes set high, two dorsal fins separated by a narrow gap, and pelvic fins fused into a sucker. Its colour is a pale sandy brown or grey with vague darker blotches. Males carry a dark spot on the back part of the first dorsal fin and darken in the breeding season. It resembles the sand goby but stays smaller. Most are 4 to 5 cm and rarely more than 6 to 9 cm. It lives on sand and mud in very shallow water, often in estuaries and brackish bays, and tolerates large swings in salinity. It eats small crustaceans and worms. Breeding takes place from spring through summer: eggs are laid under shells or stones and guarded by the male until they hatch. It ranges along Atlantic coasts from North Africa to Norway and is Least Concern in Norway.

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juli
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Common goby in FishComp

Caught a Common goby? Log it in FishComp.

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.