Proterorhinus semilunaris
| Western tubenose goby | |
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| P. semilunaris from the Baraboy River, southern Ukraine | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Suborder: | Gobioidei |
| Family: | Gobiidae |
| Subfamily: | Benthophilinae |
| Genus: | Proterorhinus |
| Species: | P. semilunaris |
| Binomial name | |
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Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837) |
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| The range of the western tubenose goby. Initial introduction in North America shown, see the map below for further spread. | |
| Synonyms | |
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The western tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) is a species of goby native to fresh waters of the Black Sea and Aegean Sea basins,. It has recently spread as an invasive species to Central and Western Europe and to North America. Previously Proterorhinus semilunaris was considered as a junior synonym of Proterorhinus marmoratus, but was confirmed as a distinct species based on molecular analysis.
The species average size is 12.7 centimeters. The body and head is flattened laterally. It has 37–46 large, cycloid scales. Its jaws are equal by length. It has an abdominal sucker without explicit blades. It has no swim bladder. The head's width is usually less than its height. Crown, nape, upper edges of operculums, origins of pectoral fins, belly, and posterior part of throat are covered with cycloid scales. Body color is brown to yellowish-gray with 4–5 dark streaks on back, transforming to spots below the middle of the body. Its fins are typically striped. It reaches 12 centimeters (4.7 in). It differs from the closely related marine tubenose goby P. marmoratus by the head length, which constitutes 28–32% of the fish's standard length. The posterior membrane of first dorsal fin reaches the origin of the second dorsal fin. Arterior naris reaches the upper lip or uppermost margin of the lower lip. Eye diameter is 16–21% of head length.
The tubenose gobies have a cylindrical body with a flattened ventral surface. The mouth is wide and slightly subterminal mouth with large lips and no barbels. The first dorsal fin has 7 or 8 spines. The caudal fin is rounded and has a triangular black spot at its base. The ventral fins are fused into a single suction cup shape. The scales are small and cover the top of the head, behind the eyes, and along the midline. The back and sides have broad, oblique blochtes on a lighter brown or olive background. The bottom of the fish is cream to white in color. This species lacks scales on its lateral line. The rows above the lateral line have 45 to 48 scales. The tubenose goby is flattened on the ventral surface.
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Wikipedia