Depth
Lebetus · Bony Fish

Guillet's Goby

Lebetus guilleti

15 - 60 m
Depth Range
4 cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
15 - 60 m
Depth Range
4 cm
Max Size
Rocky Bottoms
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Rare
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusLebetus
Speciesguilleti

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationExtremely small goby with a translucent to pale pinkish body. Head is relatively large. Eyes are prominent for its tiny body size.
  • SizeUp to 2.4 cm total length. One of the smallest vertebrates in the Mediterranean.
  • Social HabitSolitary. Lives in very small territories on coarse sand and gravel substrates.
  • HabitatCoarse sand and gravel bottoms, often mixed with shell fragments. Found on the outer continental shelf.
  • Depth15 to 100 m, most common between 30 and 70 m.
  • Feeds OnMicroscopic crustaceans and other tiny interstitial invertebrates.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from the British Isles to Morocco and throughout the western Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionOne of Europe's smallest fish, this minute goby is almost invisible against the sandy substrates it inhabits. It is virtually impossible to spot while diving and is mainly known from scientific trawl samples.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

A deep-dwelling goby found on rocky substrates from 15 to 60 m depth across the Mediterranean. Prefers areas with small crevices and overhangs on vertical or steeply sloping rock faces.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Rocky substrates in the mesophotic zone, often on vertical rock faces, small ledges, and overhangs. Associated with coralline algae encrusted surfaces and areas with moderate current flow.

Encounter Tips

Rarely seen by recreational divers due to its tiny size and deeper habitat preference. Look very carefully on vertical rock surfaces and small overhangs below 20 m depth.

Guillet's Goby species card

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Lebetus guilleti may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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