This fish's neck is scaled and both of its dorsal fins have a black spot on the front end.

The posterior dorsal fin terminates close to the caudal peduncle in contrast to the common and sand gobies where there is a long gap.

Its range extends from Cape Blanc in Mauritania to Trondheim in Norway and the Baltic Sea and it is usually found at depths less than 50 metres (160 ft).

It breeds in the summer at which time the male creates a territory in a shallow weedy area and prepares a nest on a clean piece of seabed.

He invites the female to inspect it and if she approves, she lays her eggs there and the male guards them until they hatch.