Publication: Breeding behaviour and embryonic development of the tubenose goby
Publication: Breeding behaviour and embryonic development of the tubenose goby
In 2025, while diving in Dutch freshwater lakes to document perch spawning, something unexpected caught my eye: a small, secretive fish guarding a nest. The tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) turned out to be far more accessible than I had imagined. What started as simple curiosity quickly grew into a passion. Throughout the season I followed the complete embryonic development of this species from freshly laid eggs to hatching, while also documenting the accompanying parental behaviour of the guarding males.
This adventure unfolded very differently from my perch work. Instead of returning to a single known nest, I explored multiple lakes across the Netherlands and revisited many nests over time. The variation in male behaviour between locations was especially striking.
Behaviour and egg development
This article is about the nesting behaviour and embryonic development of the tubenose goby, a small bottom-dwelling fish that has established itself in many European waterways.
During the breeding season, the male chooses a sheltered spot under stones, wood or other solid structures. The eggs are laid in a compact cluster that is well protected from currents and predators. The male stays right next to the nest and guards the developing embryos constantly.
Finding these nests while diving gave me the opportunity to observe and photograph everything directly in the wild. By locating nests and returning to them regularly, I could follow both the eggs and the males through all the different stages.
The males are very territorial and defend their nest fiercely against intruders. Besides that, they take good care of the eggs: they remove debris and dead eggs and constantly fan the clutch with their large pectoral fins. This creates a steady flow of oxygen-rich water over the eggs, which is essential for them to develop well.
By revisiting the nests throughout the season, I managed to document the full embryonic development from freshly laid eggs to the final stages before hatching. In several cases I was lucky enough to witness the actual moment of hatching. Seeing the tiny larvae emerge and stay close to the nest for a while before swimming away was a small but very special moment underwater.
The full article has been published in RAVON Magazine, Issue 101 (jaargang 28 | nummer 2)
I’m proud to share that one of my images has been featured on the cover of this issue.
Life beneath the surface
Much of what happens on the lakebed stays hidden from view. Beneath stones, wood and other submerged structures, these gobies quietly look after their nests while the embryos develop almost completely out of sight.
Being able to observe this behaviour underwater really showed me a side of their life cycle that few people get to see: from egg laying and parental care all the way to hatching. By taking my time underwater and using macro photography, I could document this hidden world beneath the surface.
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