Animal Species:Yellowfin Goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845)

The Yellowfin Goby is a benthic species that is usually found on muddy seabeds in estuarine and inshore areas. It occurs naturally in Japan but has been introduced to Australia.

Yellowfin Goby caught in Sydney

Yellowfin Goby caught in Sydney
Shane Murray © Shane Murray

Alternative Name/s

Japanese Goby, Oriental Goby

Identification

The Yellowfin Goby has a diagonal line sloping forward from the eye to the rear margin of the jaw. There are dark blotches on the sides of the body and a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. There is a dark bar on the upper region of the pectoral fin base and dark spots forming rows on the dorsal fins.

Size range

The species grows to about 25 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs naturally in Japan but has been introduced to Australia, where it is known from the northern coast of New South Wales to Botany Bay, Sydney and from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Acanthogobius flavimanus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Yellowfin Goby specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Yellowfin Goby is a benthic species that is usually found on muddy seabeds in estuarine and inshore areas.

Classification

Species:
flavimanus
Genus:
Acanthogobius
Family:
Gobiidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F. (1973). The introduction of the gobiid fishes Acanthogobius flavimanus and Tridentiger trigonocephalus into Australia. Koolewong 2 (3): 3–5.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hoese, D.F. & Larson, H.K. Family Gobiidae. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Yellowfin Goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, Gobiidae, brown, yellow, long and skinny, 10 cm - 30 cm, blotches/mottled, soft substrate, brackish, adult, juvenile,