Description: This is a relatively small goby with most adult fish being only about 6cm in length although some may grow to 9.5cm. It is a fawn-brown colour with a row of four double dark brown spots along the sides. The dorsal fin has rows of dark brown-black spots interspersed with bands of irridescent blue and rosy pink.

Habitat: The painted goby is usually found on coarse sand or gravel from the low shore to depths of approximately 50m.

Distribution: This species occurs all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland apart from the east coast of England.

Similar Species: The painted goby is one of three small gobies commonly encountered on sand and gravel seabeds, the other two being the sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) and the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps). However the rows of black spots on the dorsal fin of the painted goby are characteristic.

Key Identification Features:

• Small goby that lives on coarse sand or gravel
• Rows of black spots on dorsal fin
• Four pairs of dark spots along sides

Distribution Map from NBN: Pomatoschistus pictus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Pomatoschistus pictus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Pomatoschistus pictus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Pomatoschistus pictus (Malm, 1865). AphiaID: 126930.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gobiiformes; Gobiidae; Gobiinae; Pomatoschistus