GOBIIDAE, Gobies
The genus Chlamydogobius has just been revised by Helen Larson of the Northern Territory Museum (Larson 1995).
To around 60mm (2.4in) TL.
Listed as Vulnerable by the Australian Society for Fish Biology.
They occur in small numbers in approximately eleven of the Edgbaston Springs.
Edgbaston goby inhabit springs as shallow as 4cm (1.6in). Maximum and minimum water temperatures recorded in the springs are 38.5°C and 3°C respectively (100 and 37°F). Diurnal temperatures may vary by 21°C (38°F) (Wager & Unmack in prep). Edgbaston goby co-exist with redfinned blue-eyes (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis) in two springs, and damnbusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in two springs (Wager & Unmack unpub data). It is similar in morphology and colouration to desert goby.
Their reproductive biology is similar to the desert goby (Unmack and Wager unpub. data).
The principal threats include dambusia, cattle and sheep fouling the water, and dying in springs (Wager & Unmack in prep). Since the 1980's, 3 populations have disappeared, possibly due to predation/fin nipping by damnbusia (Unmack & Wager unpub. data).
A research program to provide further distributional and population data and to monitor introduced species and threatening processes is presently being undertaken by Rob Wager (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries) (Wager & Unmack in prep.).
Eliminate the impacts of feral and domestic animals possibly through fencing of the springs. Investigate possibilities for removal of damnbusia and methods to prevent further invasions. Re-establish former populations (Wager & Unmack in prep.).
Larson, H. K. 1995. A review of the Australian endemic gobiid fish genus Chlamydogobius, with description of five new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 19-51.
Wager, R. N. E. & Unmack, P. J. (in prep) Threatened fishes of the world, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis.
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This file was last modified: 18 March 2003