Ke. Skora et J. Rzeznik, Observations on diet composition of Neogobius melanostomus Pallas 1811 (Gobiidae, Pisces) in the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea), J GR LAKES, 27(3), 2001, pp. 290-299
This study documents the diet of Neogobius melanostomus (round goby) from t
hree different habitats within the Gulf of Gdansk. Diet composition of the
round goby in the Gulf of Gdansk appears similar to that in its natural env
ironment within the Ponto-Caspian Basin. In its native habitat, the round g
oby feeds mainly on epibenthic organisms and opportunistically forages on s
easonally abundant components of the benthic community. A natural mollusk-f
eeder, the round goby feeds mainly on the mussel Mytilus trossulus in the G
ulf of Gdansk. This food preference most likely, is due to the fact that M.
trossulus is commonly distributed throughout most of the gulf and dominate
s the benthic biomass. The adult round goby prefers an environment full of
hiding places that also can be used for nests. Thus, submerged stones or co
ncrete structures covered with colonies of M. trossulus are its preferred h
abitat. Younger gobies are more abundant in the frontal areas of underwater
concrete structures where the substrate is characterized by loose stones a
nd the presence of Mya arenaria. These habitats have different faunal struc
tures and, therefore, different trophic relations. The round goby, which is
well suited for ecological expansion, has great potential to dominate the
majority of the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. Puck Lagoon, devoid of pred
atory fish and rich in mussel beds, is an ideal habitat for this gobiid spe
cies.