Gobiidae

Gobiidae, commonly known as gobies, is one of the largest families of fishes within the order Gobiiformes. It comprises more than 1,800 described species in roughly 200 genera, inhabiting marine, brackish, and some freshwater environments. Many gobies are small, with lengths typically under 10 cm.

Morphology: Gobies usually have elongated bodies and a fused pair of pelvic fins that forms a ventral suction disc used to cling to substrates such as rocks, coral, or vegetation. They commonly exhibit two dorsal fins, small scales or sometimes no scales, and varied color patterns that provide camouflage.

Distribution and habitat: Gobies occur in a wide range of environments worldwide, with high diversity in tropical and temperate coastal zones. They are common in shallow waters, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, and freshwater streams, occupying substrates from sandy bottoms to rubble and seagrass beds, often in burrows or crevices.

Ecology and behavior: Most gobies are benthic or cryptic, feeding on small invertebrates and zooplankton. Many engage in symbiotic relationships, notably with pistol shrimps that share burrows. Reproduction typically involves laying demersal eggs on a substrate, with males guarding the eggs until hatching; some species build nests.

Taxonomy and human interactions: Gobiidae is a major, sometimes reshaped family within Gobiiformes, with ongoing revisions as phylogenetic methods advance. Gobies are important in reef and estuarine ecosystems, and several species are kept in aquariums, contributing to the pet trade, research, and education.