Monkey Goby - Feeding

Feeding

The monkey goby belongs to the group known as malacophages, but molluscs have lower importance in its diet than in that of the round goby. However, in the Sea of Azov molluscs (mainly ‘’Abra segmentum’’) make up 85% of its diet. In the Gulf of Tendra its diet is dominated by polychaetes, the larvae of Chironomidae, molluscs, Cerastoderma, juvenile gobies, adult marbled gobies, and crustaceans such as amphipods and shrimp. In the Danube lakes Yalpug and Kugurluy, the diet of the monkey goby consists of amphipods, molluscs, and Oligochaeta.

In the Khadzhibey Estuary a dozen species of prey make up the diet of monkey goby. Polychaetes, larvae of insects, and shrimp are present in the diet year round. Seasonal dietary additions include crabs such as Rhithropanopeus harrisii, sea weed such as Zostera marina, and amphipods such as Marinogammarus olivii. Certain planktonic crustaceans are also present in the diet of adult gobies.