Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758 [N]—Rock goby; None

Taxonomy. Original description: Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758: 263 [Mediterranean Sea; no types known].— Syrian synonyms: None.—Revisions: Kovačić et al. (2022: 61).—Illustration: Kovačić et al. (2022: 61, figs.).

Status in Syria. First record from Syria by Saad (2005).—Syrian material: MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Mediterranean watersheds.—Distribution in River Basin: 6- Coastal.—General distribution: Mediterranean Sea; Sea of Marmara; Black Sea; southern North Sea; eastern Atlantic: Scotland south to Senegal, including Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands; Red Sea (Mediterranean Sea immigrant).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 436-Coastal Levant.—Habitat: This species is benthic and predominantly marine; it occurs inshore and intertidal, under stones and in pools on sheltered rocky shores with dense weed cover. However, it occasionally enters freshwater. Brackish, marine.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: No major threats are known.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Stable.—Low priority for conservation action.