Blueband Goby, Valenciennea strigata (Broussonet, 1782)

Scientific name: Valenciennea strigata
Alternative name/s:
The species has also been called the Bluestreak Goby, Golden-head Sleeper Goby, and Golden-headed Sleeper.
Blueband Goby, Valenciennea strigata Click to enlarge image
A Blueband Goby at a depth of 8m, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, December 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Valenciennea
    Species
    strigata
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 18 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blueband Goby is a small species that occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It can be recognised by its colouration.

Identification

The Blueband Goby can be recognised by its colouration. It is light grey above and white below. There is a black-edged blue stripe from the mouth to the rear of the operculum. Behind the eye is a short blue dash, and there are several curved markings on the lower sides of the head.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef south to the central coast of New South Wales.

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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.