CAL COAST DIVERS . COM
HELPING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVERS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST; DIVE
Contributed on July 1, 2002
Updated: August 5, 2004
We hope to introduce the divers of Southern California to research now occurring off of the Southern California coast. If you know of any worthy research now occurring, or that has happened in the past, drop us a line at info@calcoastdivers.com to post on our site and create a link to your web site! Thanks for checking us out!
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FAMILY GOBIIDAE
Common
Name: Blackeye Goby
Genus
and Species: Coryphopterus nicholsi
Distinctive
Features: The off white yellow body with very large black eyes.
The black eye goby has a box shaped tail fin, two dorsal fins (the foredorsal
fin has the distinguishing black edge), ventral fins which are usually tucked
beneath the goby, and two large paddle shaped pectoral fins. Coloration
varies little however some gobies will have fluorescent blue scales along their
dorsal fins.
Distribution:
These fish can be found from as far down south as Baja California to as far
north as Point Lobos State Beach. (To date we have not been able to
confirm any further range beyond Point Lobos.)
Behavior:
These fish are normally solitary but become very territorial during mating
season.
Habitat:
Around islands these fish may be found on large rocks in protected crevices.
On beach dives they can be readily found in sand pockets or on large rocky
outcroppings. These fish thrive in rocky areas with silty or sandy
bottoms. These gobies make their home in crevices or they can dig their
own hole beneath the rocks.
Fun
Facts: None yet.
Permits
and Regulations: Local collecting rules and regulations apply.
Common
Name: Catalina Goby or Bluebanded Goby
Genus
and Species: Lythrypnus dalli
Distinctive
Features: Brilliant redish-pink and the 5 to 9 flourescent blue
bands are the most characteristic features of this 1-2 inch fish. These
fish have a two part dorsal fin with the foredorsal fin extending high above
the back dorsal fin (this is particularly true in the male gobies). Additionally these fish have a rounded tail fin and
anal and ventral fins that are adapted to perching on rocks.
Distribution:
These fish can be found from as far down south as San Diego to as far north as
Los Angeles County. These fish are found in greater numbers around
Catalina Island and can be found on occasion during beach dives.
Behavior:
On Catalina Island these fish can be found perched on large rocks beneath the
kelp canopy. Typically these gobies will guard a 18 inch area on a rock
with easy access to a crevice. Gobies will guard their area from other
gobies but retreat back into their nooks and crevices when approached by larger
fish or divers. If you move slowly you may be able to catch a glimpse of
these fish before they make a hasty retreat. During mating season the
male will protect the eggs once they are laid.
Habitat:
Large rocks beneath the kelp is where you are most likely to spot one of these
gobies. In large clearings where there is no kelp, these gobies tend to
dominate the upper portions of the rock. Gobies on the coast can be found
but not in the numbers that are common on the islands. On the coast these
fish enjoy large rock structures in water that does not move swiftly.
Around these islands these fish dominate man made break walls and sunken
structures.
Fun
Facts: Catalina Gobies are popular tropical keep that can be kept in
aquariums. These fish can actually withstand waters up to 78 degrees
where in nature these fish are more common in waters that typically do not
extend above 72 degrees and can be as low as 62 degrees.
Permits
and Regulations: Be aware of specimen capture laws in your area
if you are considering netting one of these fish.
Common
Name: Zebra Goby
Genus
and Species: Lythrypnus zebra
Distinctive
Features: Brilliant orange to pinkish stripes separated by darker
solid blue rings that alternate with a thinner blue stripes. Like the
Catalina Goby, these
fish have a two part dorsal fin with the foredorsal fin extending high above
the back dorsal fin (this is particularly true in the male gobies). Additionally these fish have a rounded tail fin and
anal and ventral fins that are adapted to perching on rocks.
Distribution:
These are some of the hardest fish to find in the northern counties of southern
California so we were really excited to find this specimen at Point Dume Beach
in Malibu. These fish are most likely to be found in the typically warmer
waters of San Diego and during the summer months they can be found with some
frequency on outer reefs in Orange County.
Behavior:
These fish blend in well with their surroundings and tend to be very shy when
approached. h the kelp canopy. Typically these gobies will guard a
18 inch area on a rock with easy access to a crevice. Gobies will guard
their area from other gobies but retreat back into their nooks and crevices
when approached by larger fish or divers. If you move slowly you may be
able to catch a glimpse of these fish before they make a hasty retreat.
Habitat:
Large rocks beneath the kelp is where you are most likely to spot one of these
gobies. In large clearings where there is no kelp, these gobies tend to
dominate the upper portions of the rock. Gobies on the coast can be found
but not in the numbers that are common on the islands. On the coast these
fish enjoy positioning themselves in the small crevices between rocks close to
the sea floor.
Fun
Facts: Zebra Gobies, like Catalina Gobies are popular amongst
aquariums enthusiasts. During mating season the male will protect the
eggs once they are laid.
Permits
and Regulations: Be aware of specimen capture laws in your area
if you are considering netting one of these fish.
Development of these pages is currently ongoing. If you have any tips or ideas on how to make this page a better resource please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you out in the water! Over the next month we will unveil more specimens, with more information on life cycles, interactions, as well as links which will provide you with information on where and why you can expect to see certain species in certain areas. If you have any questions or comments please address them to info@calcoastdivers.com and one of our friendly staff will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. We sincerely hope these pages will be of some benefit to you as you browse through our pages.
Copyrighted by Ryan Jaeger & Matthew J. Wahlrab 2002 - 2004