Distribution and population characteristics of the invasive tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814) in the eastern Gulf of Finland

Abstract

The article examines the characteristics of the invasive tubenose goby population that has become established in the eastern Gulf of Finland in the last 15 years. The species inhabits the most part of the studied area, and mainly occurs in waters with salinity equal to or lower than 3 ‰. Abundance of the tubenose goby is positively correlated with the density of filamentous algae, but not with other estimated parameters (substrates, macrophytes, water characteristics). The tubenose goby in the Gulf of Finland reached 62 mm Sl and age 1+. Age composition changed from mature female predominance to the male predominance during the season. Numerous juveniles and spawning adults were observed. The tubenose goby demonstrates successful naturalization in the new conditions and was numerically dominant in the coastal fish assemblage in summer.