Abstract The middle Miocene (upper Serravallian, lower Volhynian) deposits at Karpov Yar near Naslavcea, northern Moldova, are among the few settings in which fossil fish preserved with otoliths situ. Here, we describe new gobiid † Moldavigobius helenae gen. et sp. nov. from this locality. taxon is characterized by small size (up to 34.2 mm SL), a compact body (body depth 17–21% fan-shaped caud...