Cocos Frillgoby, Bathygobius cocosensis (Bleeker, 1854)

Scientific name: Bathygobius cocosensis
Alternative name/s:
Cocos Goby, Dusky Sand-goby, Padang Frill-goby
Cocos Frillgoby, Bathygobius cocosensis Click to enlarge image
A Cocos Frillgoby in a rockpool, Fairy Bower, Manly, New South Wales, 27 January 2010. Image: Will Teo
© Will Teo

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bathygobius
    Species
    cocosensis
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

The Cocos Frillgoby is a small fish that superficially resembles a number of similar goby species.

Identification

Fishes in the genera Bathygobius can be easily confused with those of Istigobius. The main difference is the overhanging snout in Istigobius. Bathygobius has larger elongate dark spots on the midside and numerous small white spots (Istigobius has white lines, but no spots). Istigobius tends to have brighter colours, with Bathygobius being black, brown and white.

Habitat

The species can be found in a range of bethic habitats from coral reef to rocky reef.

Distribution

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

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.