Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1811)

Proterorhinus marmoratus image

Synonyms: Gobius marmoratus Palass,1811; Gobius quadricapillus Pallas, 1811; Gobius semilunaris Heckel, 1840; Gobius macropterus Nordmann, 1840; Gobius rubromaculatus Kriesh, 1873.

Common names: Engl: Tubenose goby; Bulg: Mramorno popche; Russ: Bychok-tsutsik; Turk: Kaya baligi.

Order (Scientific): PERCIFORMES.

Family (Scientific): GOBIIDAE.

Taxonomic descriptions: D VI, I 14-18; A I 12-15; P 14-16; squ. 44-16; Vertebrae: 30-33; (Gheorgiev, 1966). Head depth 1.03-1.07 than width. Eye diameter 0.18-0.23 head length. Pelvic disc 0.19-0.23 SL. Anterior membrane without conspicuous lateral lobes. Nape scaled, cheek naked. Colour: grey-brown, with 5-6 broad, irregular dark bands across body. Size: to 11cm.

Proterorhinus marmoratus arealIUCN Status:
    World level:
    Black Sea Regional level:
    Subregion level: EN (Bulgarian Coast)

Distribution: Rivers and estuaries of Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea. (Miller, 1984). In Bulgaria: Lakes Shabla, Varna, Beloslav and Burgas.

Habitats type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors: Lakes, lagoons, brackish to slightly saline; on sand near sea - grass; Lakes Beloslav, Varna and Burgas; chemical substances.

Biology: Reproduction: April-May. Eggs under shells or stones. Sexually mature at 1 year. Food: green algae, crustaceans, polychaetes, insects.

Population trends: Declining.

Threats: Industrial pollution.

Conservation measures taken: Lake Shabla has been declared as a reserve.

Conservation measures proposed: Reduction in the contamination.

References:

  1. Gheorgiev, J. 1966. Composition d’espece et caracteristique des Gobiides (Pisces) en Bulgarie. - Proc. Res. Inst. Fish., Oceanogr. Varna, VII: 159-228.
  2. Miller, P. 1986. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, v.3: 1078.

Compiled by: Y.Sivkov, K.Prodanov.