27. Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831) (Fig. 23), Caspian Goby

Gobius caspius Eichwald, 1831: 76; type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea; types: no types known.

Etymology: The species name caspius refers to its occurrence in the Caspian Sea.

Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22B). Inhabits pleio-mesohaline brackish waters, and does not enter rivers (Pinchuk & Miller 2003b).

Material examined: ZM-CBSU S030, 15, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S034, 96, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S047, 16, Shalmanroud mouth ; & ZM-CBSU S057, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran ; ZM-CBSU S062, 1, off Babolsar; ZM-CBSU S068 & ZM-CBSU S069, 9, off Neka; & ZM-CBSU S070, 10, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran .

IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020k).