Goby father guarding his eggs

Pictures and text:  Rudolf Svensen

The spring is over and the summer is here. A lot of marine animal mate and reproduces during the spring, when the water is getting warmer and the sea is full of food.
This is an image of a Sand Goby (Pomatoschistus minutus ) which is guarding his eggs. The eggs are attached to de inside of a Icelandic Cyprine (Arctica islandica ) which makes the ceiling of his cave.
Gobies are like most other creatures. The father that takes responsibility and look after the kids while the mother just takes off after the birth and leaves the whole family to itself. Isn’t that typical?
The Goby on the picture was a brave little fellow. He did not get frighten of the big ugly diver who was messing around firing his flash into his face. He was boldly standing in front of his eggs, stretching his fins trying to looks angry and dangerous. Due to his behaviour, he made a nice and stable photo motive.
The image was taken on a sunny day early may on only 4 metres of water. To just glide around on shallow water studying the diversity of life, is to me the most relaxing, AND exiting, activity I know.
Just give it a try and you will probably get hooked.