Stone Goby

Buenia affinis

The Stone Goby, a member of the Gobiidae family, is a small reef fish found primarily in the Western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. This species typically inhabits sandy areas, especially in regions like the Kvarner area of Croatia. Divers can expect to find them at depths ranging from 3 to 25 meters, though they are most commonly encountered between 5 and 20 meters. The Stone Goby is characterized by its fusiform body shape, with males reaching a maximum length of 3.2 cm and females slightly larger at 3.3 cm. It has distinct dorsal fins with 7 spines and 8 to 9 soft rays, as well as a single anal spine and 9 anal soft rays, supported by 30 vertebrae. However, they are known to inhabit areas with coarse sand and cobbles, where the sediment consists mainly of biogenous fragments mixed with finer materials. The juveniles of this species have been reported at depths of 35 meters. For divers encountering the Stone Goby, these fish are harmless and do not pose any threat to humans. They are commercially used in aquariums, highlighting their adaptability to captive environments. According to the IUCN Red List, the Stone Goby is classified as Least Concern.