Crab-eye Goby, Signigobius biocellatus Hoese & Allen 1977

Scientific name: Signigobius biocellatus
Alternative name/s:
Four-eyed Goby, Signal Goby, Twinspot Goby
Crab-eye Goby, Signigobius biocellatus u0009 Click to enlarge image
A Crab-eye Goby at a depth of 26 m, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, 21 October 2008. The species has also been called Four-eyed Goby, Signal Goby and Twinspot Goby. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Signigobius
    Species
    biocellatus
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 6.5 cm in length.

Identification

Easily recognised by the ocelli on the dorsal fins and the dark pelvic and anal fins with blue spots.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia. It occurs around the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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.

Breeding behaviours

Interesting breeding information in this video.

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.