Top Transparent Goby Fishing Countries

The transparent goby (Aphia minuta), also known as the crystal goby or glass goby, is a tiny, nearly transparent fish found primarily in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. This species is highly valued as a delicacy in southern Europe, especially in Italy and Spain, where it is known as "bianchetto" or "gianchetti." The fishing industry for transparent goby is most prominent in Italy, particularly in the Ligurian and Sicilian regions, and in Spain, especially along the Mediterranean coast. France and Greece also contribute to the harvest, though to a lesser extent. Transparent gobies are typically caught using fine-mesh nets during their short spawning season in late winter and early spring. Due to their small size and schooling behavior, they are often harvested in large quantities, and their fishery is subject to strict regulations to prevent overexploitation and protect juvenile fish of other species that may be caught as bycatch.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.