F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n 105An introductory guide104 F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n 105An introductory guide104104 F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n

identificationA small, cylindrical fish with a rounded head, bulbous cheeks and a small mouth. Maximum size ~60 mm, commonly <45 mm. The gape extends to just past the anterior margin of the eye in females, and to mid-eye or further back in males. There are two dorsal fins, the caudal fin is oval, and the pelvic fins are joined to form a disc-shape. Scales are present on the nape and opercula. The head and body is light brownish to yellowish brown or grey, fading to white on the ventral surface. A series, usually of 5–6 dark, roughly rectangular blotches are present on the back from the nape to the caudal peduncle, and there is another series of midlateral blotches on the sides. The anal fin may have a blue edge, the dorsal fins are barred and the first dorsal fin may have a blue spot.

Biology and habitatThe Western blue-spot goby is really a marginal freshwater/estuarine species and occupies brackish estuaries and associated freshwater streams and lakes. It is benthic,

burrowing and usually recorded over mud or rock substrates, occasionally in weedy areas. It spawns about 150 eggs in dense aquatic vegetation in spring in the upper reaches of estuaries, and the male guards and fans the eggs. In an estuary in Western Australia, the species consumed benthic crustaceans and algae.

Distribution and abundanceThis goby is a common and widespread estuarine species in coastal streams of SA and WA. In the Basin it is known only from the Lower Lakes (Alexandrina and Albert) and associated wetlands, where it exists as largely landlocked populations.

Potential threatsNone known.

general referencesAllen et al. 2002; Cadwallader & Backhouse 1983; DPI 2006; Gill & Potter 1993; Humphries & Potter 1993; Larson & Hoese 1996b; Wedderburn & Hammer 2003.

Common name Western blue-spot goby (Swan river goby) restricted

scientific name Pseudogobius olorum (Sauvage, 1880)

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F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n 105An introductory guide104 F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n 105An introductory guide104 An introductory guide 105

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Western blue-spot goby habitat, Lake Alexandrina

iD VALLey 1 Avoca 2 Border rivers 3 Broken 4 campaspe 5 castlereagh 6 central Murray 7 condamine 8 darling 9 goulburn 10 gwydir 11 Kiewa 12 Lachlan 13 Loddon 14 Lower Murray 15 Macquarie 16 Mitta Mitta 17 Murrumbidgee 18 namoi 19 ovens 20 Paroo 21 upper Murray 22 Warrego 23 Wimmera

Published by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission Postal address: GPO Box 409, Canberra ACT 2601 Office location: Level 3, 51 Allara Street, Canberra City ACT Telephone: (02) 6279 0100, international + 61 2 6279 0100 Facsimile: (02) 6248 8053, international + 61 2 6248 8053 Email: info@mdbc.gov.au Internet: http://www.mdbc.gov.au

For further information contact the Murray-Darling Basin Commission office on (02) 6279 0100

This fish fact sheet is an extract derived from the report: Lintermans, M. 2007, Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin: An introductory guide.

MDBC Publication No. 10/07

ISBN 1 921257 20 2

© Murray-Darling Basin Commission 2007

This work is copyright. Graphical and textual information in the work (with the exception of photographs, artwork and the MDBC logo) may be stored, retrieved and reproduced in whole or in part provided the information is not sold or used for commercial benefit and its source (Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin) is acknowledged. Such reproduction includes fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction for other purposes is prohibited without the permission of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission or the individual photographers and artists with whom copyright applies.

To extent permitted by law, the copyright holders (including its employees and consultants) exclude all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this report (in part or whole) and any information or material contained in it.

F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i nii