Scientific Name
Knipowitschia caucasica

Common Name
Caucasian dwarf goby

Biology
Inhabit fresh to hyper-saline waters (to 55 ppt) of lakes, estuaries and lagoons, in shallow areas with much weed. Feed on small crustaceans and chironomid larvae (Ref.12215); larvae of the mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Ref. 59043). Lives less than 2 years. Spawns after first winter. Eggs are attached to the roof of a cavity under stones, plant material or shells and are defended by male. Postlarvae are pelagic. (Ref.59043).

Classification

Classified By

Berg, 1916

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Gobies (Gobiidae)

Distribution

Region

Eurasia

Distribution

Eurasia: along the coasts of Black, Azov, Caspian and Aegean seas west to Aliakmon drainage (Greece). Identity of the population along the eastern shore of Adriatic is questionable. Introduced in the Aral Sea and is now extirpated.

Range

47°N - 38°N, 12°E - 61°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

2 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous (Ref. 46888); depth range 0 - 2 m (Ref. 12215)

Trophic Level

3.28 s.e. 0.44 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

5.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries:

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (14 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)