BIOTIC Species Information for Pomatoschistus minutus
Click here to view the MarLIN Key Information Review for Pomatoschistus minutus
Researched byKaren Riley Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr Angus Jackson
General Biology
Growth formPisciform
 Feeding methodPredator
Mobility/MovementSwimmer
Burrower
 Environmental positionDemersal
Epibenthic
Typical food typesSmall polychaetes, cumaceans, amphipods and mysids. HabitFree living
Bioturbator FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityIntermediate SizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
Height Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential1km-10km DependencyIndependent
SociabilityGregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
  • The sand goby usually remains inactive, except when feeding (Fonds & Veldhuis, 1973). Pomatoschistus minutus feeds on small polychaetes, cumaceans, amphipods and mysids. Depending on the bottom type, it has been noted to show colour adaptations (Aquascope, 2000b), and has also been noted to burrow into the sediment to avoid predators (Magnhagen & Forsgren, 1991).
  • The sand goby is a small goby, reaching a maximum of 10 cm in length. Males are generally longer than females (Quignard et al., 1983). Growth is slower in winter in the Atlantic, and slower in the summer in the Mediterranean (Quignard et al., 1983). Larvae gradually spend more and more time on the bottom, and at a length of approximately 17-18 mm they are usually fully adapted to the benthic way of life.
  • Although of no commercial importance itself, it is incidentally caught in abundance in French Mediterranean lagoons (Quignard et al., 1983).
Biology References Quignard et al., 1983, Aquascope, 2000, Froese & Pauly, 2000(a), Miller, 1986, Fonds & Veldhuis, 1973, Magnhagen & Forsgren, 1991,
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