goby

noun go·by \ ˈgō-bē \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of goby

plural gobies also goby

: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes (family Gobiidae) that usually have the pelvic fins united to form a ventral sucking disk

See goby defined for kids

Recent Examples of goby from the Web

Bloater chub had the highest biomass, 9.13 kilotonnes, followed by deepwater sculpin (2.75), rainbow smelt (0.62) and round goby (0.52).

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Alewife hit a record low in Lake Michigan in 2017," 21 Feb. 2018
One of the most intriguing tales surrounding the falls – and of evolution in general – is of a 5-inch black and orange native fish, a type of goby known as the ‘o’opu’alamo’o, which hatches in the stream above ‘Akaka Falls.

— brian j. cantwell, sacbee, "Take a tour to soak in Big Island rainbows | The Sacramento Bee," 17 Mar. 2018
With their downturned mouths and benthic (bottom) feeding habits, whitefish are taking advantage of the abundance of invasive species, including round gobies.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Lake whitefish heat up Green Bay's ice in winter," 20 Jan. 2018
His study suggested Lake Michigan might be better suited for lake trout and steelhead, given the two species of trout can switch from eating alewives to bottom-dwelling round goby, an invasive prey fish that eats cladophora and tiny quagga mussels.

— tony briscoe, chicagotribune.com, "Invasive mussels help Lake Michigan surpass Superior in clarity but threaten food chain," 26 Jan. 2018
King salmon remain reluctant to try the gobies as a food source, but that may change over time, Tanner said.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "King salmon reign shrinks, but more precariously on changing Great Lakes," 23 Oct. 2017
Another now-prevalent invasive fish species in the Great Lakes, the round goby, is offering a new food stock for many types of sport fish, including lake trout, steelhead and Atlantic salmon.

— keith matheny, USA TODAY, "King salmon reign becomes more precarious on changing Great Lakes," 23 Oct. 2017
Another now-prevalent invasive fish species in the Great Lakes, the round goby, is offering a new food stock for many types of sport fish, including lake trout, steelhead and Atlantic salmon.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "King salmon reign shrinks, but more precariously on changing Great Lakes," 23 Oct. 2017
Lionfish are adept hunters of gobies, which are small, schooling fish that tend to hover near rocks and the seabed, making them easy to herd and corner.

— Fox News, "'Twilight Zone' Horror Story: Lionfish Prey on Unknown Fish Species," 6 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goby.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.