Pelagic goby
A goby that hides in jellyfish tentacles and thrives in toxic mud.
The pelagic goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus), or bearded goby, is a true goby in the family Gobiidae and the sole member of its genus. It lives in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean. This fish reaches 17 cm in length, with 7 dorsal spines and 12–13 dorsal soft rays, plus a single anal spine and 12–13 anal soft rays. Its fins are dusky to black.
A demersal species, it occurs at depths from 0 to 340 m in subtropical waters between 11 and 15°C off Namibia and South Africa. Usually found offshore, it also appears in shore pools. Juveniles are epipelagic, while adults migrate to deeper water; large adults are recorded only from demersal trawls. The goby can remain on the ocean floor for 10 to 12 hours in de-oxygenated, hydrogen sulfide-rich mud where few organisms besides bacteria and nematodes survive. While settled there, it stays alert and shows rapid escape responses, using the toxic mud as a refuge. Its population is growing, even though it has become the main prey in this unusual ecosystem.
In 2010, it was observed feeding on a jellyfish species that was understood to be its main predator. Jellies provide up to one-third of the goby’s diet. When rising from the seafloor to feed at night, it hides from mackerel among the jellies’ stinger-covered tentacles. Predators include fishes, penguins, Cape cormorants, crested terns, fur seals, and jellies. The goby also hides within jelly tentacles when it rises to feed and reoxygenate its blood. Although targeted by purse seines, it may also be caught incidentally in trawls.
Quick Facts
- Maximum length
- 17 cm
- Dorsal spines
- 7
- Dorsal soft rays
- 12–13
- Anal spines
- 1
- Depth range
- 0–340 m
- Water temperature range
- 11–15 °C
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The bearded goby is demersal, inhabiting subtropical waters off the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. Juveniles are epipelagic, while adults migrate to deeper waters; large adults are recorded only from demersal trawls. It is usually found offshore but has also been recorded in shore pools. The gobies can remain on the ocean floor for at least 10 to 12 hours at a time in an area of de-oxygenated 'toxic sludge' rich in hydrogen sulfide, where hardly anything lives except bacteria and nematodes. When settled on the bottom, they remain alert, showing rapid escape responses. Their population is growing despite becoming the main prey species in this unusual ecosystem.
Reader's Guide
The pelagic goby's significance lies in its remarkable adaptations to one of the most inhospitable marine environments. By using hydrogen sulfide-rich mud as a refuge, it occupies a niche largely free from competition. Its population growth, even as it becomes the primary prey in its ecosystem, underscores its role as a keystone species in the Benguela Current system. The goby's feeding behavior is equally unusual: it was observed to feed on a species of jellyfish that is also its main predator, with jellies providing up to one-third of its diet. When rising from the seafloor at night to feed and reoxygenate its blood, it hides from predators such as mackerel among the jellies' stinger-covered tentacles. This goby is preyed upon by fishes, penguins, Cape cormorants, crested terns, fur seals, and jellies. Although targeted by purse seines, it may also be caught incidentally in trawls. Its legacy is that of a survivor and a lynchpin in a harsh, oxygen-poor ecosystem.
Did You Know?
- The pelagic goby is the only known member of its genus, Sufflogobius.
- It can stay on the ocean floor for 10 to 12 hours in hydrogen sulfide-rich toxic sludge.
- Jellyfish provide up to one-third of the goby's diet, even though jellies are also its main predator.
- It hides from mackerel among the stinger-covered tentacles of jellyfish when feeding at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pelagic goby?
The Pelagic goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus), nicknamed the bearded goby, is a small true goby in the family Gobiidae and the only species in its genus. It is native to the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, primarily off the coasts of Namibia and South Africa.
How big is the Pelagic goby and what are its key physical traits?
It reaches a maximum total length of 17 cm and sports dusky-to-black fins. Its fin structure includes 7 dorsal spines followed by 12–13 dorsal soft rays, and a single anal spine backed by 12–13 anal soft rays.
Where does the Pelagic goby live?
As a demersal species, it ranges from the surface all the way down to 340 m in subtropical waters between 11 and 15 °C. It is usually encountered offshore but can also appear in nearshore pools.
More in Wrasses and Gobies, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced