black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 1870
Synonyms: Gobius lynx Kessler, 1874; Gobius fallax Sarato, 1889; Gobius
(Zostericola) Ophiocephalus (non Pall.) de Buen, 1930; Berg, 1949
Common names: Engl: Bucchich's goby; Turk: Kaya baligi
Order PERCIFORMES
Family GOBIIDAE
Taxonomic description. D VI, 113-14; A112-14; P 17-20. Scales in lateral series:
50-58. Vertebrae: 28 (Gheorgiev, 1966). Head depth 0.9 to equal with width. Eye
diameter 0.28-0.28 of head length. Upper lip uniformly wide. Nape scaled, cheek
naked. Pectoral free rays well developed. Pelvic disc 0.24-0.25 SL. Anterior
membrane without lateral lobes. Suborbital papillae with seven transverse rows.
Colour grey to grey-brown, with longitudinal rows of dark spots along head and body.
Size up to 10 cm.
RJCN Status
World level: EN
Black Sea Regional level: EN
Subregion level: CR (Bulgarian Coast)
Distribution. Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea (Miller, 1986). In
Bulgaria on Maslen Cape.
Habitat type, Critical habitats Limiting factors. Inshore, on sand and mud, with
sea-grasses.
Biology. Reproduction in June-August. Sexually mature after one year. Food:
polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs and algae.
Population trends. Declining.
Threats. Pollution.
215