Leopard-spotted Goby

Thorogobius ephippiatus is a species of goby native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Description

The coloration is very distinctive, it has a pale fawn body with conspicuous orange, brick-red or brownish-black spots all over the head and body, hence the common name. There is also a black spot near the rear edge of the first dorsal fin. Breeding males are darker in colour with a conspicuous light-pale blue edge to the dorsal and anal fins. This species can reach a length of 13 cm.

Distribution

This species can be found along the Atlantic coasts from the Skagerrak to Madeira, extending into the Mediterranean.

Habitat

This species inhabits vertical rock faces with crevices in which to hide. Sometimes it can be found in deep tide pools. It occurs at depths of from 6 to 40 metres though usually no deeper than 12 metres. It feeds on crustaceans (copepods, amphipods, decapods), polychaetes, gastropods.