Japanese goby (Tridentiger trigonocephalus)
Have you see this marine pest in NSW?
Key features
A Japanese goby showing features
Japanese goby
Habitat
Estuaries and rocky reef areas; resides on the bottom, near objects such as rocks, under which it can hide.
Current locations
- NSW: Sydney Harbour, Port Kembla.
- Victoria and Western Australia
Impacts
- Competes with native species
Similar native species
The native fish, Arenigobius bifrenatus
Arenigobius bifrenatus
Key Features:
- Short round head
- More colourful
- 2 black stripes don't extend the entire length of the body
Habitat: Abundant just below tide level on mudflats near seagrass beds.
Bathygobius kreffti
Key Features:
- Rounded head
- Mottled appearance
- Dark patches on top and sides
The native fish, Istigobius hoesei
Key features:
- Raised eyes
- Pale colour with blue dots and dashes
The native fish, Favonigobius tamarensis
Key features:
- Mottled appearance
- Lighter underside
Habitat: Buries itself in burrows; often found in seagrass beds.
If you see this pest in NSW, please report it immediately
- Note the exact location
- If possible take a photo and/or collect a sample
- Freeze sample in a plastic bag
- Report your sighting
Photograph credit: Rudie Kuiter.