Groovecheek Goby, Nesogobius sp. 4

Scientific name: Nesogobius sp. 4
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    23/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Groovecheek Goby, Nesogobius sp. 4 Click to enlarge image
A Groovecheek Goby at a depth of 20m, ‘The Docks’, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, March 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Nesogobius
    Species
    sp. 4
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 5 cm in length.

Introduction

As its common name suggests, the Groovecheek Goby has a groove behind both preopercles. The species is endemic to Australia.

Identification

As its common name suggests, the Groovecheek Goby has a groove behind both preopercles. Adults are usually translucent above, with scattered brown and orange spots on the back and sides. The ventral surface is white. There are oblique yellow to orange stripes across the cheeks and a brown spot on the upper base of the pectoral fins.

Habitat

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring at depths from 2 m to 20 m, often on sandy substrates off beaches.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia occurring, from the central coast of New South Wales, south to the central Victorian coast. It has also been recorded from Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Rottnest Island, south-western Western Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Hoese, D.F. & H.K. Larson in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.