Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) The round goby is a small, bottom-dwelling invasive fish. Native to the Black and Caspian seas in eastern Europe, it was first found in North America in 1990 in the St. Clair River north of Windsor, Ontario. Researchers believe the fish was brought to North America in the ballast water of ships from Europe. In less than a decade the round goby has successfully spread through all five Great Lakes and has begun to invade inland waters. In some areas the fish has reached densities of more than 100 fish per square metre. Round goby prefer waters with rocky and sandy bottoms. They feed aggressively on insects and other small organisms found on lake and river bottoms. Adult round goby eat large quantities of zebra and quagga mussels, and occasionally small fish and fish eggs. Their aggressive eating habits and ability to spawn several times each season have helped them multiply and spread quickly. Range Outside its native range, the round goby has been found in all five Great Lakes and many of their tributaries. Round goby are also found in some inland waters in southern Ontario such as Lake Simcoe, the Trent River, Rice Lake, and parts of the Otonabee River. • The fish compete with and prey on native bottom-dwelling fish such as mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) and logperch (Percina caprodes). Round goby also threaten several species at risk in the Great Lakes Basin, including the northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus), the eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), and several species of freshwater mussels. • Round goby have reduced populations of sport fish by eating their eggs and young, and competing for food sources. Impacts of Round Goby The round goby’s aggressive habits and rapid spread have had serious impacts on native species. Small, bottom-dwelling round goby. Photo: David Copplestone, MNR ontario.ca/invasivespecies • Researchers believe the round goby is linked to outbreaks of botulism type E in Great Lakes fish and fisheating birds. The disease is caused by a toxin that may be passed from zebra mussels, to goby, to birds, resulting in large die-offs of fish and birds. To prevent the spread of this invasive species, the Ontario government has banned the possession of live round goby and the use of round goby as a baitfish. ROUND GOBY 2 How to Identify Round Goby Adult round goby are six to 16 centimetres long with a cylindrical body and a rounded to blunt snout. The round goby looks similar to several species of fish found in the Great Lakes, including the invasive Round Goby 1 3 tubenose goby and native sculpins (Myoxocephalus thompsoni, and Cottus sp.). Check the chart below to identify round goby, tubenose goby and native sculpins. 1 Prominent black spot. 4 2 Fused scallop-shaped pelvic fin. 5 3 Body is brownish or olive in color, with dark brown spots. Except in reproducing males, the body and fins are almost completely black. 4 Nostril tubes do not reach the upper lip. 5 Fully scaled body. 2 3 Tubenose Goby 1 1 No black spot. 4 2 Fused scallop-shaped pelvic fin. 5 3 Body is grey, light brown, olive or tan with black or reddish-brown mottling on the back. 4 Small nostril tubes extend over the upper lip. 5 Fully scaled body. 2 3 1 Sculpin 4 1 No black spot on dorsal fin. 2 Two separate pelvic fins. 5 3 The body has a mottled color pattern with a cream colored belly. 4 Nostril tubes do not reach upper lip. 5 Sculpins have no scales. 2 Illustrations: Joe Tomelleri What You Can Do • • Learn how to identify round goby and how to prevent the spread of this unwanted species. • Never buy or use round goby as bait. It is against the law to use round goby as bait or to have a live round goby in your possession. • Don’t put any live fish into Ontario lakes, rivers or streams. • If you have any information about the illegal importing, distribution or sale of round goby, report it immediately to the Ministry of Natural Resources TIPS line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time, or contact your Ministry of Natural Resources office (ontario.ca/mnroffices) during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). If you’ve seen a round goby or other invasive species in the wild, please contact the tollfree Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or visit www.invadingspecies.com to report a sighting. Other Resources: www.invasivespeciescentre.ca ontario.ca/invasivespecies www.invadingspecies.com Fused pelvic fins act as a suction cup for the round goby. Photo: John Lyons, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources For More Information: Please contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. This fact sheet may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes. © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2012 Cette publication est également disponible en français.