Guillet's Goby

Lebetus guilleti

Guillet's goby is a small reef-associated fish native to the eastern Atlantic, with a range extending from Norway down to Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is typically found in temperate waters, inhabiting depths between 2 and 69 meters, though it is most commonly encountered between 8 and 10 meters. This species prefers inshore areas with coarse substrates, including coralline deposits. Divers may spot this goby around the Shetland Islands and along the coasts of the Kattegat and Belt seas to Portugal, as well as in the western Mediterranean. This goby is characterized by its small size, reaching a maximum length of 2.5 cm. It has a fusiform body shape with a circular cross-section. Notable features include reduced suckers and a pelvic disc lacking an anterior transverse membrane. The dorsal fin has 7 spines and 7 to 9 soft rays, while the anal fin consists of 1 spine and 5 to 6 soft rays. With 25 to 26 vertebrae, Guillet's goby can be distinguished from similar species by these specific morphological traits. Guillet's goby is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. For divers, encountering this small fish can be a subtle experience, as it is harmless and tends to blend into its coarse ground habitat.