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received: 2020-05-28                 DOI 10.19233/ASHN.2020.25
NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORDS OF GOBIUS BUCCHICHI 
(PISCES, GOBIIDAE) FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND IN SITU 
COMPARISONS WITH GOBIUS INCOGNITUS 
Francesco TIRALONGO
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy
e-mail: francesco.tiralongo@unict.it
Roberto PILLON
Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy
ABSTRACT
We report for the first time the presence of Gobius bucchichi from the coastal waters of three Mediter-
ranean countries, namely Italy, Slovenia and Greece, thus increasing the knowledge on the distribution of this 
species in the Mediterranean Sea. We provide high quality in situ photos of the species, highlighting the main 
differences between similar species as a useful tool for in situ identification, which can be used for monitor-
ing purposes. Habitat preferences, abundance and behaviour of G. bucchichi and similar species are also 
described. Comparisons with similar species, ecological notes, and the current distribution of G. bucchichi in 
the Mediterranean Sea are discussed.
Key words: identification key, Mediterranean gobies, new records, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, underwater 
photography
NUOVE SEGNALAZIONI DI GOBIUS BUCCHICHI (PISCES, GOBIIDAE) NEL MAR 
MEDITERRANEO E CONFRONTI IN SITU CON GOBIUS INCOGNITUS 
SINTESI
Riportiamo per la prima volta la presenza di Gobius bucchichi nelle acque costiere di tre nazioni medi-
terranee, ovvero Italia, Slovenia e Grecia, apportando nuove conoscenze sulla distribuzione di questa specie 
nel Mediterraneo. Forniamo anche foto della specie in ambiente di elevata qualità, evidenziando le principali 
differenze con le specie simili, fornendo quindi uno strumento utile per l’identificazione in situ della specie 
che può essere usato a fini di monitoraggio. Le preferenze di habitat, l’abbondanza e il comportamento di 
G. bucchichi e delle specie simili sono anch’essi descritti. Confronti con le specie simili, note ecologiche e 
l’attuale distribuzione di G. bucchichi nel Mediterraneo vengono discussi.
Parole chiave: chiavi di identificazione, gobidi mediterranei, nuove segnalazioni, Adriatico, Egeo, fotografia 
subacquea
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INTRODUCTION
Members of the family Gobiidae Cuvier, 1816, with 
more than 1900 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019), 
make up one of the largest fish families in the world 
(Nelson et al., 2016). The same is true for the Mediter-
ranean Sea, where Gobiidae, with over 70 species, are 
the most speciose fish family (Patzner, 2019). However, 
despite the numerical dominance and ecological rel-
evance of the family, data about ecology and distri-
bution are, for most of the species, scarce and dated 
(Patzner, 1999; Kovačić et al., 2012; Ordines et al., 
2019). Only in relatively recent times have there been 
studies considering some ecological aspects and only 
in certain species (Herler & Patzner, 2005; Kovačić & 
Pijevac, 2008; Kovačić et al., 2012; Tiralongo et al., 
2020).
Most of the recently described gobies from the 
Mediterranean Sea are morphologically distinct species 
(Miller, 1992; Ahnelt & Patzner, 1995; Kovačić & Miller, 
2000; Schliewen et al., 2019), and their late recognition 
is probably only due to their cryptobenthic nature and 
small size, or to their deeper habitat, like in the cases of 
Buenia massutii Kovačić, Ordines & Schliewen, 2017, 
Gobius kolombatovici Kovačić & Miller, 2000, Lebetus 
patzneri Schliewen, Kovačić & Ordines, 2019, and Spe-
leogobius llorisi Kovačić, Ordines & Schliewen, 2016 
(Kovačić & Miller, 2000; Tiralongo & Pagano, 2015; 
Kovačić et al., 2016; Kovačić et al., 2017; Schliewen 
et al., 2019). Hence, their identification in situ is rela-
tively simple, yet limited to those species which can be 
directly observed by divers in the infralittoral (or upper 
circalittoral). However, Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 
1870, a shallow water species, was considered a wide-
spread Mediterranean species until the recent discovery 
of Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016, a very 
similar species, yet distinct in morphological, meristic 
and molecular traits (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016). Accord-
ing to this latter study, the current distribution of G. 
bucchichi appears to be restricted to the eastern Adriatic 
Sea (Croatia and Montenegro) and northern Ionian Sea 
(Albania), while G. incognitus is widely distributed in 
the Mediterranean Sea, having been reported from the 
western to the eastern part of the basin. In consideration 
of these new data, most, if not all, of the previous litera-
ture on G. bucchichi concerns G. incognitus, although 
new biological and ecological studies are needed to 
obtain data clearly attributable to either of the two spe-
cies (Tiralongo et al., 2020).
With this paper we aim to increase the knowledge 
about the distribution of G. bucchichi, reporting first 
records from three countries and discussing the spe-
cies distribution in the Mediterranean Sea. We also 
provide some ecological notes and underline the most 
important characters for the species identification in 
situ, highlighting above all the main differences with 
the very similar G. incognitus.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Data were collected in summer during the period 
2017–2019 in snorkeling surveys (with a duration of 
about 1.5 hour per survey) performed within the ba-
thymetric range of 0–4 m at different locations of the 
Mediterranean Sea (Fig. 1): Piran (Slovenia; Adriatic 
Sea; 45.51725 N, 13.56823 E) in August 2017, Mug-
gia (Italy, Adriatic Sea; 45.60577 N, 13.72073 E) in 
August 2018, and Kondyli beach (Greece; Aegean Sea; 
37.53090 N, 22.93402 E) in July 2019. In each area 
we collected data about the abundance of G. bucchi-
chi, the depth range in which the species was present 
and more abundant, and the habitat and contempo-
rary presence of G. incognitus and any other similar 
species. Identification was based on the diagnostic 
characters that are visible in situ and on photographs 
(Kovačić & Svensen 2018). Gobius bucchichi, G. 
incognitus and Gobius fallax Sarato, 1889 differ from 
all other Mediterranean gobies in a lively coloration 
of the body and head, which is generally light, i.e., 
basically white with yellowish, greenish or greyish 
tones, and displaying longitudinal rows of darker dots. 
The identification characters for distinguishing G. 
bucchichi from G. fallax in situ and on photographs 
Fig. 1: Updated distribution of Gobius bucchichi; black 
circles indicate published records; red circles indicate 
new distributional records from Italy (Adriatic Sea), 
Slovenia (Adriatic Sea), and Greece (Aegean Sea).
Sl. 1: Dopolnjena razširjenost vrste Gobius bucchichi; 
črni krogci označujejo objavljene zapise o pojavljanju; 
rdeči krogci označujejo nove podatke o razširjenosti v 
Italiji (Jadransko morje), Sloveniji (Jadransko morje), in 
Grčiji (Egejsko morje).
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are presented in the Results and Discussion section 
as original contributions. The diagnostic characters 
for in situ distinguishing between G. bucchichi and 
G. incognitus are original contributions presented in 
Table 1. At every reported locality specimens of both 
species were photographed to record their presence 
in high quality photos that preserve all the main valid 
and useful qualities for distinguishing the two species 
in situ (Tab. 1).
           
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In Piran (Slovenia), the mixed sea bottom was 
characterized by the presence of silt and large boulders 
(diameter > 1 m). In this area, G. bucchichi was quite 
rare: in a total of 4 surveys with a duration of about 1.5 
hours each, only 1–3 medium-sized specimens per sur-
vey were observed, at a depth of about 3 m. During the 
surveys, no specimens of G. incognitus were encoun-
tered, instead, a massive presence of another similar 
species, Gobius fallax Sarato, 1889, was observed. All 
the specimens of this latter species were large.
In Muggia (Italy), the nature of the sea bottom was 
similar to that of Piran. In this area, about 10 speci-
mens per survey of G. bucchichi were observed. Most 
of them were of large size and observed at a depth 
of 2–4 m. Again, no specimens of G. incognitus were 
observed, while G. fallax was quite abundant.
At Kondyli beach (Greece), the mixed bottom was 
composed of coarse sand and boulders. In this area, 
some 15 medium-sized specimens per survey of G. 
bucchichi were observed, at a depth of 1–1.5 m (Fig. 
2A). Contrarily to the other two locations investigated, 
we recorded the presence of G. incognitus. The size 
range of the specimens of G. incognitus observed was 
from 4 to 8 cm in total length (TL). While G. bucchichi 
was aggregated in groups of several individuals, the 
specimens of G. incognitus exhibited a more scattered 
distribution.
In all the locations, the specimens of G. bucchichi 
were observed in sheltered environments, such as small 
bays, rather than in more exposed surrounding areas 
with increased wave action. Furthermore, G. bucchichi, 
unlike G. incognitus, was never observed associated 
with Anemonia viridis (Forsskål, 1775). On the other 
hand, this association is common for G. incognitus: 
when it feels threatened it seeks protection among the 
tentacles of the sea anemone (Tiralongo et al., 2020). 
Gobius bucchichi and G. incognitus are similar 
to G. fallax (Fig. 2E). However, G. bucchichi is dis-
tinguished from G. fallax by several traits: 1. G. fallax 
presents a stouter body; 2. with the exception of the 
larger dots along the midlateral line, similar in the 
two species, the longitudinal lines of brown dots are 
aligned and well-defined in G. fallax (very numerous 
and tighter in the dorsal area), looking more as inter-
rupted lines or rows of dashes than rows of dots. In 
G. bucchichi, these longitudinal lines are composed 
of fewer and less aligned brown dots; 3. In G. fallax, 
the dots on the cheeks are not so well-defined as in G. 
bucchichi; 4. Gobius fallax displays a “neutral buoy-
ancy” or hyperbenthic position, sometimes staying 
suspended 10–30 cm above the sea floor or having 
only a few contact points when resting on the bottom; 
contrariwise, G. bucchichi (and G. incognitus) always 
rests on the bottom. In Table 1, we report all the main 
differences between G. bucchichi and G. incognitus 
useful for in situ identification (see Fig. 2A–D for pho-
tographic comparisons).
This work reports for the first time the presence of 
G. bucchichi from three new Mediterranean areas: Italy 
(Adriatic Sea), Slovenia (Adriatic Sea), and Greece (Ae-
gean Sea). Hence, the species shows a wider distribution 
than previously reported and restricted to the eastern 
Adriatic Sea and the Albanian Ionian Sea. However, 
compared to the similar species G. incognitus and in 
agreement with Kovačić & Šanda (2016), the distribu-
tion of G. bucchichi appears to be significantly more 
Tab. 1: Main differences between Gobius bucchichi and Gobius incognitus useful for in situ identification. See 
Fig. 1 for photographic comparisons.
Tab. 1: Glavne razlike med vrstama Gobius bucchichi in Gobius incognitus, uporabne za razlikovanje na 
mestu samem. Glej Sl. 1 za fotografsko primerjavo. 
Gobius bucchichi 
Steindachner, 1870
Gobius incognitus 
Kovačić & Šanda, 2016
Dots on cheeks
Usually only two longitudinal rows of dots, with a large 
dot-free area at the center. In some cases, very close 
small dots can be present in the central and anterior part 
of the cheeks. The lower row start behind the corner of 
the mouth, with two horizontally elongated dots.
Three longitudinal rows of dots, with the central one 
close to the lower one, parallel to each other. The dots 
of the central row are very variable in number and are 
often irregular in shape.  The lower row start with a 
dot on the corner of the mouth.
Dots of the 
midlateral line
Marked, well aligned and distinct.
Often fused to form larger dark blotches separated 
by spaces.
Background body 
color
Uniform, pale yellowish.
Light greenish-grey, often with alternate slightly light 
and dark areas on the dorsal surface.
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limited. Indeed, we failed to detect the 
presence of G. bucchichi in many other 
locations throughout the Italian seas (with 
the exception of the northernmost part of 
the Adriatic) and in Greek waters (Cepha-
lonia, Methoni, Elafonissos, Sithonia, 
Andros, Paros, Antiparos, Shinoussa, 
Milos, Kimolos and the Pagasetic Gulf), 
where we recorded the presence of G. 
incognitus only. We also analysed our 
photos taken before 2016 in other Greek 
locations, namely Limnos, Karpathos, 
Crete, Skiathos, Naxos, Koufonisia, and 
Donoussa, and the only photographed 
species was again G. incognitus.
Although the differences between the 
two species (G. bucchichi vs. G. incog-
nitus) are not very pronounced, an ac-
curate in situ examination in most cases 
allows a reliable identification. Based 
on the recent discovery of G. incognitus 
(Kovačić & Šanda, 2016), further targeted 
studies in other Mediterranean areas are 
necessary in order to expand our knowl-
edge about the true distribution of G. 
bucchichi in the Mediterranean Sea (but 
also in the Marmara and Black Seas), and 
about the ecological factors affecting its 
distribution. Gobius bucchichi seems to 
prefer more sheltered habitats than G. 
incognitus, such as small bays. Further-
more, the former species shows a more 
gregarious behaviour than the latter one. 
The current distribution of G. bucchichi 
still appears to be confined to the north 
of the central-eastern part of the Mediter-
ranean Sea, where the species is usually 
sympatric with G. incognitus. Gobius 
incognitus, on the other hand, appears to 
be a ubiquitous Mediterranean species.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to the anony-
mous referee for his useful comments al-
lowing us to improving the manuscript.
Fig. 2: Gobius bucchichi, specimen from Greece, 15 July 2019 (A); 
Gobius incognitus, specimen from Greece, 10 September 2018 (B); 
detail of the head of G. bucchichi, specimen from Italy, 24 August 
2018 (C); detail of the head of G. incognitus, specimen from Italy, 
22 June 2016 (D); Gobius fallax, specimen from Croatia, 29 May 
2013 (E).
Sl. 2: Gobius bucchichi, primerek iz Grčije, 15. julij 2019 (A); Go-
bius incognitus, primerek iz Grčije, 10. september 2018 (B); detajl 
glave pri vrsti G. bucchichi, primerek iz Italije, 24. avgust 2018 (C); 
detajl glave pri vrsti G. incognitus, primerek iz Italije, 22. junij 2016 
(D); Gobius fallax, primerek iz Hrvaške, 29. maj 2013 (E).
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NOVI PODATKI O RAZŠIRJENOSTI VRSTE GLAVAČA GOBIUS BUCCHICHI 
(PISCES, GOBIIDAE) IZ SREDOZEMSKEGA MORJA IN IN SITU PRIMERJAVE Z 
VRSTO GOBIUS INCOGNITUS 
Francesco TIRALONGO
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy
e-mail: francesco.tiralongo@unict.it
Roberto PILLON
Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy
POVZETEK
Avtorja poročata o prvem pojavljanju vrste glavača Gobius bucchichi v obalnih vodah treh sredozemskih 
držav, Italije, Slovenije in Grčije in na ta način prispevata k poznavanju razširjenosti te vrste v Sredozemskem 
morju. V prispevku objavljata visokokakovostne fotografije, posnete na mestu samem in podajata glavne 
razlike med podobnimi vrstami, kar je uporabno orodje za identifikacijo na mestu samem in uporabno za 
namene monitoringa. Opisujeta habitatne preference, abundanco in vedenje vrste G. bucchichi in sorodnih 
vrst. Nadalje razpravljata o primerjavi vrste s sorodnimi vrstami, ekološke beležke in razširjenost vrste v 
Sredozemskem morju.
Ključne vrste: ključ za določanje, sredozemski glavači, novi zapisi o pojavljanju, Jadransko morje, Egejsko 
morje, podvodna fotografija
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