Cryptocentroides gobioides Click to enlarge image
A Crested Oyster Goby at a depth of 0.3 m, near Minnamurra River mouth, New South Wales, January 2007. Image: Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Cryptocentroides
    Species
    gobioides
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 10 cm in length.

Introduction

The species is endemic to Australia, usually found on muddy bottoms or under rocks in estuaries and inshore waters along the east coast.

Identification

The Crested Oyster Goby is an elongate fish that has a pronounced dorsal ridge on the head and bulbous ‘cheeks’. It is grey, brown or black (males are usually darker than females) with red and blue bands and spots.

Habitat

It is usually found on muddy bottoms or under rocks in estuaries and inshore waters.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

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

  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. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.