Round Goby

Round goby Neogobius melanostomus Photo USFWS.

The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is a freshwater fish native to Eurasia. It is thought to have been transported and accidentally released into the Great Lakes from the ballast water of ships traveling from Europe. The round goby was first reported in Lake St. Clair in 1990. It has since spread into each of the Great Lakes where their populations have been growing.

The round goby is an aggressive bottom dwelling fish. Males actively defend eggs laid in rocky crevices. Gobies are able to spawn multiple times during the mating season. They have a sensitive sensory system and are able to locate prey quickly and feed in the dark. These characteristics raise concerns that gobies may compete with some native species for food and spawning habitat. They may also be a nuisance to fishermen because gobies are quick to attack bait, preventing anglers from catching their target sportfish.

Learning to identify the round goby and knowing where they are found are important steps toward preventing or deterring their spread to new areas.

Identifying Characteristics

The round goby is a bottom dwelling fish and is slightly flattened on the bottom of its body. It is the only fish found in the Great Lakes that has a single, fused pelvic fin. Identifying characteristics are shown on the image below.

Distribution

Round goby distribution in the Great Lakes Basin. Image provided by USGS.

Round goby were first found in the Great Lakes in 1990 at Lake St. Clair. They have spread to each of the five Great Lakes and into the Mississippi River system. They are common in Lake Huron and have been found at most ports and river mouths within the lake. In areas were goby are captured, they commonly become the most abundant benthic fish species.

Resource Materials

Learn how you can prevent the spread of invasive species - Learn now

What you should do if you catch an invasive species - Learn now

 

 

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