Burgundy Shrimpgoby, Amblyeleotris wheeleri (Polunin & Lubbock, 1977)

Scientific name: Amblyeleotris wheeleri
Alternative name/s:
Gorgeous Shrimpgoby, Redbarred Shrimp Goby, Wheeler's Shrimp Goby
Burgundy Shrimpgoby Click to enlarge image
A Burgundy Shrimpgoby at Fairy Bower, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, 4 May 2014. This is the first record of this tropical species from New South Wales waters. Image: John Sear
© John Sear

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Amblyeleotris
    Species
    wheeleri
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    8 cm

Introduction

The Burgundy Shrimpgoby is a small fish that often shares its burrow with one or more shrimps.

Identification

The species has seven reddish bars on a pale background. It usually has small blue spots.

Distribution

It occurs widely throughout the Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from tropical waters but not from the Gulf of Carpentaria.

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.

Other behaviours and adaptations

As its standard name implies, the Burgundy Shrimpgoby is one of a number of gobies that live in burrows in close association with shimps.

References

  1. 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.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.