Animal Species:Cocos Frillgoby, Bathygobius cocosensis (Bleeker, 1854)

Alternative Name/s

Cocos Goby, Dusky Sand-goby, Padang Frill-goby

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.

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.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Cocos Frillgoby specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

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

Classification

Species:

cocosensis

Genus:

Bathygobius

Family:

Gobiidae

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

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.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 8 March 2013

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Cocos Frillgoby, Bathygobius cocosensis, Gobiidae, black, brown, green, white, long and skinny, dots/spots, blotches/mottled, coral reef, rocky reef, marine, adult,