[Ichthyology • 2026] Brachygobius jennie • A New bumblebee goby (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) from Hengqin Island, Guangdong Province, China

Brachygobius jennie  

 Tian, Wu, Lan, Lavoué & Huang, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.184142

Abstract

A new species of bumblebee goby, Brachygobius jennie sp. nov. (Teleostei, Oxudercidae), is described based on 31 specimens collected from the Hengqin Island, Guangdong Province, China. This new species is distinguished from all other valid species of Brachygobius by its extreme small size (SL < 9 mm) and distinctive number, position, size and shape of its black bars. It possesses four complete (forming ring) or nearly complete post-cephalic, relatively narrow bars, two of which are located posterior to the base of the anal fin. The first bar behind the head extends pigmentation to the first dorsal fin but does not reach the midventral line. The second bar, chevron-shaped and located below the second dorsal fin, extends pigmentation onto that fin and ventrally reaches the midventral line and the anal fin. Cytochrome oxidase subunit I-based analyses, including six out of the eight valid species of Brachygobius, show Brachygobius jennie sp. nov. to be more than 10% genetically divergent from other species, supporting the morphological diagnosis and confirming its distinct taxonomic status. With a maximum size of less than 9 mm SL (based on observations of 106 specimens), the new species is not only the smallest species of Brachygobius, but also one of the smallest known gobioid fishes.

Key Words: Fish, Gobioidei, integrative taxonomy, new species, miniature vertebrates

Diagnostic marking pattern comparison among all species of Brachygobius having four post-cephalic black bands, the last two located posterior to the base of the anal fin. Left column: schematic drawings highlighting diagnostic marking patterns based on information from type material and original descriptions; from top to bottom: 
Brachygobius jennie sp. nov. based on its description (this study); B. aggregatus, based on a drawing of a type specimen (plate 4 in Herre 1940); B. kabiliensis, based on the drawing of the holotype (fig. 19 in Inger 1958); and B. nunus, based on the drawing of a specimen of Gobius alcockii Annandale, 1906 (fig. 1 in Annandale 1906), a junior synonym of B. nunus, and the description of B. nunus by Hamilton (1822). Red arrowheads indicate diagnostic differences. Right column: photographs of live non-type specimens illustrating the corresponding left schematic patterns (all photos from the authors).

Live photographs of four paratypes of Brachygobius jennie sp. nov., illustrating intra-specific marking pattern.

Photographed by Mr. Haocong Yang and Mr. Danyang Zhou.

Brachygobius jennie sp. nov. 

 Jiangyan Tian, Jianyong Wu, Chunliu Lan, Sébastien Lavoué and Jianrong Huang. 2026. Brachygobius jennie, A New bumblebee goby (Teleostei, Oxudercidae) from Hengqin Island, Guangdong Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(3): 853-863.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.184142 [17 Jun 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Rhinogobius mengyangensis • A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Sichuan Province, southwestern China

 

Rhinogobius mengyangensis 

X. Liu, Chen, Shu, Huang, K. Liu & Yu, 2026

濛阳吻虾虎鱼  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1280.188225

Abstract

A new species of freshwater goby, Rhinogobius mengyangensis sp. nov., is described from the upper Changjiang River basin in Sichuan Province, China, based on comparative morphology and molecular phylogeny. The new species is sister to Rhinogobius szechuanensis Tchang, 1939 and can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: absence of sensory canals and pores on head; cheeks and operculum without spots or stripes; second dorsal fin with 9–11 longitudinal rows of inverted V-shaped or dash-like brown markings; incomplete brownish edges on flank scales below second dorsal fin; branchiostegal membrane bright yellow.

Key words: Biodiversity, freshwater, phylogeny, taxonomy

Rhinogobius mengyangensis sp. nov. alive. 

A. Male, Tuojiang River basin (holotype, IHB 0202506006); B. Female, Tuojiang River basin (Paratype, IHB 0202506007); 

C. Male, Qingyijiang River basin; D. Female, Qingyijiang River basin.

Rhinogobius mengyangensis sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Rhinogobius mengyangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners except R. szechuanensis by the following combination of features: absence of sensory canals and sensory pores on head; cheeks and operculum without spots or stripes (Fig. 3). It can be distinguished from R. szechuanensis in having the second dorsal fin with 9–11 longitudinal rows of inverted V-shaped or dash-like brown markings (vs with blue spots, some coalescing into vertical bars), incomplete brownish edges on flank scales below second dorsal fin (vs with complete edges), and a bright-yellow branchiostegal membrane (vs white or blue) (Fig. 4).

 Xin Liu, Zhong-Guang Chen, Yi-Fan Shu, Jun-Hao Huang, Kai Liu and Yi Yu. 2026. Rhinogobius mengyangensis : A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from Sichuan Province, southwestern China. ZooKeys. 1280: 333-347. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1280.188225

[28 May 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Butis bargabhimae • A New Species of butid fish (Gobiiformes: Butidae) from the Rupnarayan River, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

  

Butis bargabhimae

Maiti, Mandal, Das, Pahari & Bhattacharya, 2026  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.9 

  academia.edu/164972645

 

Abstract

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov. is morphologically similar to B. koilomatodon and B. delagoensis but can be distinguished from both of these morphologically by the presence of interorbital scales (IOS 2–3/7–8/2–3), auxiliary scales, bands on the pectoral fin, and the absence of a row of alternating blackish and yellowish spots at the base of the caudal fin. The NCBI BLAST result of COI gene shows 86% similarity with both B. koilomatodon and B. delagoensis. The COI sequence MN171371.1 submitted as B. koilomatodon from Bangladesh shows 99% similarity with B. bargabhimae sp. nov. and belongs to the same clade rather than the clade of B. koilomatodon from the state of Kerala in India and those from other countries. It seems B. koilomatodon from Bangladesh is a misidentification and should be included under B. bargabhimae sp. nov. Likewise COI sequence of B. koilomatodon, as reported earlier by Pahari et al. (2024), suggests this was a misidentification and should be redesignated as B. delagoensis.

Pisces, Estuarine fish, gudgeon goby, mitochondrial COI, short snout Butis

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov. Holotype Female (Reg. No. ZSI FF 10992).
I: Longer 3 rd and 4 th spine. II: Oblique dark bands on body. III: Dark median spot at pectoral fin base. IV: Light and dark alternate bands on pectoral fin.

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov.

Subhadeep MAITI, Sudipta MANDAL, Mitali DAS, Priti Ranjan PAHARI and Tanmay BHATTACHARYA. 2026. Butis bargabhimae sp. nov., A New Species of butid fish (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Butidae) from the Rupnarayan River, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Zootaxa. 5763(4); 588-596. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.9 [2026-03-05]

  academia.edu/164972645/Butis_bargabhimae_A_new_species_of_butid_fish_from_the_Rupnarayan_River_Purba_Medinipur_West_Bengal_India

[Ichthyology • 2025] Acentrogobius nigromaculatus • A New Species of Acentrogobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, with a revised diagnosis for Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927)

Acentrogobius nigromaculatus

 Koreeda & Motomura, 2025

 

「イッテンホホグロスジハゼ」DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01044-9

facebook.com: Reo Koreeda

Abstract

The new gobiid species Acentrogobius nigromaculatus sp. nov., distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indo-West Pacific region from Rodrigues Island (Mascarene Islands) to Japan, and previously misidentified as Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927), is described, together with a revised diagnosis of A. suluensis. The new species is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characteristics: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9 (rarely 10); anal-fin rays I, 9 (rarely 10); pectoral-fin rays 15–17; longitudinal scale series 26–32 (modally 29); transverse scales 9–12 (modally 10); pre-dorsal scales absent; first to fourth spines of first dorsal fin each with a filamentous tip (usually fourth spine longest; second and third spines of similar length; first spine shortest); head and nape naked; body mostly covered with ctenoid scales; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales on thorax and just above pectoral-fin base; two brown stripes from just behind pectoral-fin base to caudal-fin base; five dark brown lateral blotches (rarely 6) on body, between lateral stripes; blue spots (sometimes indistinct) between and just above lateral stripes when fresh, but indistinct or absent on lateral blotches; black blotch on opercle; paired black spots on chin; single black spot on spine tip of second dorsal fin; longitudinal yellow (sometimes reddish-yellow) stripe on upper margin of caudal fin, just above longitudinal bluish stripe. The new species is similar to A. suluensis and Acentrogobius violarisi Allen 2015 in having a ladder-like lateral pattern on the body and a black blotch on the opercle but differs in having a naked pre-dorsal area, paired black blotches on the chin, a distinct black spot in the spine tip of the second dorsal fin, and yellow and blue stripes on the upper margin of the caudal fin, and lacking transverse red stripes and vertical black blotches laterally on the body.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Morphology, Yongeichthys, COI mt DNA

Acentrogobius nigromaculatus sp. nov. 

(New English name: Spotted Ladder Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Itten-hohoguro-suji-haze)

Etymology. The specific name “nigromaculatus” and part of the Japanese name “Itten” refer to the single black spot on the spine tip of the second dorsal fin.

Reo Koreeda and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2025. A New Species of Acentrogobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, with a revised diagnosis for Acentrogobius suluensis (Herre 1927).   Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01044-9 [21 November 2025]

 facebook.com/100008955613897/posts/3758840624424421

【博物館・連合農学研究科】点があります。イッテンホホグロスジハゼ

https://www.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/topics/2025/12/post-2391.html

[Ichthyology • 2025] Rhinogobius chongkangensis • A New freshwater Goby of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Chongkang River Basin, Western Taiwan

Rhinogobius chongkangensis 

 Chen, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.24

 

Abstract

A new freshwater goby of Rhinogobius was recently collected from the Chongkang River basin of Western Taiwan. The new species, Rhinogobius chongkangensis sp. nov., can be well distinguished from all other congeners by the unique combination of the following features: (1) fins: second dorsal fin rays I/9; anal fin rays I/8; pectoral fin rays modally 16; (2) squamation: longitudinal scale series 32–33 (modally 32); perdorsal scales 12–15 (modally 14); (3) vertebral count 27; (4) mouth oblique, rear edge extending to vertical between anterior margin of orbit and anterior edge of pupil in male and (5) specific colouration: lateral body with 7–8 longitudinal rows of small orange to brownish red spots about 1/6–1/10 size of pupil diameter in male; cheek and opercle with 24–32 rather small orange or brownish red spots in male, with 13–16 small brown spots in female; branchiostegal membrane with many 14–18 tiny orange or brownish red spots in male; basal region of first dorsal fin with 8–12 orange or brownish red spots in male, second dorsal fin pale with 3–4 longitudinal rows of orange spots; pectoral fin with two rows of orange to red orange spots which 4–5 larger orange spots or sometimes fusing a vertical line on upper side on anterior row in male; a snow white vertical band between the two rows of orange spots in male. A brief discussion with all nominal congeneric species is also provided.

 

Pisces, new goby, freshwater fish, Rhinogobius, fish fauna, Taiwan

Rhinogobius chongkangensis new species, the Chongkong River basin, Miaoli County, Taiwan, ROC.
A. male, holotype, 36.9 mm SL.; B. female, paratypes, 31.9 mm SL. 

 

 I-SHIUNG CHEN. 2025. A New freshwater Goby of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Chongkang River Basin, Western Taiwan.  Zootaxa. 5738(1);197-204. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.24 [2025-12-30]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Rhinogobius lingjiangensis • A New Species of freshwater goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Rhinogobius) from Xijiang, Pearl River Basin, Guangxi Province, China

 

Rhinogobius lingjiangensis

Chen, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.26

 

Abstract

A new species of freshwater gobiid fish of the genus Rhinogobius Gill, 1859, was collected from the hill stream of Xijang, Pearl River basin, Gangxi Province, China. Rhinogobius lingjiangensis can be well distinguished from all other congeners by the unique combination of the following features: (1) fin rays: second dorsal fin rays I/7–8 (usually I/8); anal fin rays I/6–7 (usually I/6); pectoral fin rays 16–17 (modally 16); (2) squamation: longitudinal scale series 31–32 (modally 31); perdorsal scales 5–6 (modally 6); (3) vertebral count 28; and (4) specific colouration: cheek with 7 rather wide reddish orange parallel bands in male; caudal fin base with a central blackish brown spot in male; pectoral fin base greyish with brown vertical bar in male, anterior basal 1/4 region of pectoral fin with semicircular creamy yellow region in male. A brief comparison of current species with related species will be addressed.

 Pisces, Rhinogobius lingjiangensis, new species, Xijiang, Guanxi province, fish taxonomy

Rhinogobius lingjiangensis, A. male, holotype, 26.2 mm SL, B. female, papatype, 22.9 mm SL, Lingjiang, Xijiang, Pearl River basin, guangxi, China.
Branchiostegal membrane pattern of male Rhinogobius lingjiangensis, holotype, 26.2 mm SL.

Rhinogobius lingjiangensis sp. nov. 

I-SHIUNG CHEN. 2025. A New Species of freshwater goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Rhinogobius) from Xijiang, Pearl River Basin, Guangxi Province, China.  Zootaxa. 5738(1); 215-221. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.26  [2025-12-30]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Eugnathogobius ganuensis • A New Species of Eugnathogobius (Gobiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Eugnathogobius ganuensis

Koreeda, Seah & Motomura, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5040071

Abstract

The new estuarine goby Eugnathogobius ganuensis n. sp. is described from 5 specimens (4 males: 27.0–31.5 mm standard length; 1 female: 27.5 mm standard length) collected from a small ditch in the lower reach of the Terengganu River basin, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The new species is easily distinguished from other congeners, except E. kabilia, by the following a combination of characteristics: 16 segmented caudal-fin rays; 30 or 31 longitudinal scale lows; high first dorsal fin (especially in males); no head pores; shoulder with oblique black band; transverse black markings on each scale; paired black blotches on caudal-fin base; and distinct black dots on upper caudal fin. Although E. kabilia is very similar to the new species, the latter has a shorter jaw in males (well-extended in the former), high first dorsal fin (low), first dorsal-fin second spine length > 16.8% of standard length (<13.6%), throat yellowish in the fresh condition (whitish), and a yellowish second dorsal fin (reddish in males of E. kabilia). Because the type locality of the new species is clearly not a natural environmental feature and no salinity during the low tide, despite being included in the tidal area, the true habitat is suggested as being the upper reaches of estuarine areas. 

Keywords: taxonomy; morphology; Calamiana; South China Sea

 Fresh holotype (male) of Eugnathogobius ganuensis n. sp. (UMTF 13296, 30.0 mm SL).

Fresh paratypes of Eugnathogobius ganuensis n. sp.
((A): KAUM–I. 219716, male; (B): KAUM–I. 219718, male;
(C): UMTF 13297, male; (D): KAUM–I. 219721, female).

Eugnathogobius ganuensis n. sp.

Type locality (A) and live individuals (B–D) of Eugnathogobius ganuensis n. sp., Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia.

White and black arrows indicate E. ganuensis n. sp. and Oxyeleotris urophthalmus, respectively.

 Reo Koreeda, Ying Giat Seah and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2025. A New Species of Eugnathogobius (Gobiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia. Taxonomy. 5(4), 71. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5040071 [17 December 2025]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Pascua marecoralliensis • A New Species of Goby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Central Coral Sea with Validation of the Genus Pascua

 

 Pascua marecoralliensis 

Goatley, Varela, Sellanes & Tornabene, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090449 

Abstract

In this paper, we use molecular phylogenetics, micro-CT scanning, and morphological analyses to describe a new species of goby, Pascua marecoralliensis, and demonstrate that the genus Pascua is distinct from Hetereleotris, as supported by five diagnostic characters, including modified basicaudal scales and reduced sensory papillae patterns. Phylogenetic analysis places Pascua as sister to the Gobiodon group, while Hetereleotris forms a separate clade. The new species, P. marecoralliensis, differs from congeners in fin ray counts, cephalic pore patterns, and head morphology and exhibits unique live colouration. Additionally, we reclassify Hetereleotris readerae and H. sticta as Pascua readerae and P. sticta based on shared genus-specific traits. The distribution of Pascua spans the southern Pacific, suggesting a relict lineage or undiscovered diversity in the genus. This work underscores the importance of integrative taxonomic approaches for resolving cryptic diversity in gobioid fishes and highlights the need for further sampling in understudied regions.

Keywords: coral reef; cryptic; cryptobenthic fishes; Gobioidei; Hetereleotris; morphology; osteology; phylogeny; tropical; Australia

The three specimens of Pascua marecoralliensis sp. nov. collected from Lorna Cay, Lihou Reef in the Central Coral Sea, Australia.
(a) AMS I.49536-002 (holotype), (b) AMS I.49536-038 specimen 1 (paratype; specimen damaged during description and molecular sampling), (c) AMS I.49536-038 specimen 2 (paratype).

 Christopher H. R. Goatley, Andrea I. Varela, Javier Sellanes and Luke Tornabene. 2025. Pascua marecoralliensis, A New Species of Goby (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Central Coral Sea with Validation of the Genus Pascua. Fishes. 10(9), 449. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090449 [4 September 2025]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Vanderhorstia supersaiyan • A New Species of Vanderhorstia (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the twilight zone off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan 

Koeda, Hirasaka & Sato, 2025 

Supersaiyan Goby  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01047-6 

www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Abstract

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov. (Perciformes: Gobiidae) is described from a single specimen (77.0 mm in standard length) collected from 210 m depth off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. The new species has two distinct yellow longitudinal stripes on the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, which are unique features within the genus. The new species can also be clearly distinguished from congeners by other coloration features, including faint yellow spots on the head and dorsal body margin, distinct yellow blotches and yellow upper margin on the first dorsal fin, and four faint yellowish-brown diamond-shaped blotches laterally on the body. A combination of meristic and morphometric characters also set the new species apart from congeners, all of which inhabit significantly shallower depths. The study documents a new discovery in the twilight zone highlighting the value of advancing research in this little studied habitat.

Keywords: Vanderhorstia vandersteene, Vanderhorstia attenuate, Gobioidei, Twilight zone, Taxonomy, Ryukyu Archipelago

Images of the holotype of Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov., NSMT-P 151096, 77.0 mm SL, collected from off Ishigaki-jima Island, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan; just after captured and fresh.

www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov.

(New English name: Supersaiyan Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Ereki-haze)

Etymology. The specific name of the new species, supersaiyan, refers to "Super Saiyan", a fictional transformation from the “Dragon Ball” manga series, famous for its golden yellow hair and glowing aura. In the present context, it refers to the unique bright yellow stripes and blotches of the new species. It is treated as a noun in apposition.

 Keita Koeda, Hiroshi Hirasaka and Mao Sato. 2025. Vanderhorstia supersaiyan sp. nov. (Perciformes: Gobiidae) collected from the twilight zone off Ishigaki-jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01047-6 [27 November 2025]

新種の魚を発見！その名もスーパーサイヤン！ ～石垣島沖から採集された新種のハゼに小枝助教らが命名～

https://www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/news/72516

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Lentipes ptasan • A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis

 

 Lentipes ptasan

Jhuang, Nañola, Li & Liao, 2025 

 

紋面韌鰕虎 | Tattooed-face Goby  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277  

  facebook.com/WeiChengJhuang 

Abstract

Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Taiwan and Mindanao Island. It is a large-sized Lentipes species distinguished by several male-specific characteristics, including an upper lip protruding beyond snout obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from the front of the eye through the nostrils to the tip of the snout, a wide brown longitudinal band at the base of the anal fin, and the distinctive nuptial coloration featuring a brown vertical band extending from back to belly on the middle of the body. The complex distribution of Lentipes species and their genetic differentiation may be influenced by sexual selection, historical biogeographic events and contemporary ecological processes. However, due to the recent divergence of Lentipes species, 11 out of 14 species could not be distinguished by the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Furthermore, Lentipes mindanaoensis is redescribed, with L. adelphizonus treated as its junior synonym.

Keywords: amphidromous goby, Sicydiinae, taxonomy, the Philippines, western Pacific Ocean

 

Live photos of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. from Taiwan and Mindanao islands:
 (a, b) holotype, ASIZP0082286, male, 31.1 mm SL, Taiwan ((a) non-courting individual, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (b) nuptial colour, photograph by M. Hhuang);
 (c) paratype, ASIZP0082288, male, 35.6 mm SL, Taiwan (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang); (d) paratype, PNM15807, male, 41.9 mm SL, Mindanao (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang);
(e) paratype, PNM15811, female, 52.5 mm SL, Mindanao (photograph by F. Li); (f) aquarium photograph showing courtship behaviour of a male L. ptasan toward a female, specimens unpreserved, Mindanao (photograph by Z. H. Deng). Yellow arrowheads indicate the orange pattern on the female.

Close-up of the longitudinal band of the anal fin on two Lentipes species:
(a-1) Lentipes ptasan, holotype, ASIZP0082286, Taiwan (photograph by M.-T. Zhou); (a-2) L. ptasan, paratype, ASIZP0082288, Taiwan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (a-3) L. ptasan, paratype, PNM15807, Mindanao (photograph by W. C. Jhuang);
 (b-1) L. armatus, specimen not preserved, Taiwan (photograph by M. T. Zhou); (b-2) L. armatus, DOS09187-1, Cagayan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (b-3) L. armatus, DOS09891-4, Aurora (photograph by C. C. Yu).

  Lentipes ptasan sp. nov.

Chinese common name: 紋面韌鰕虎.

English common name: Tattooed-face Goby.

  

  Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by combination of characters and colour patterns: in males, a black spot on second dorsal fin, upper lip protruding obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from front of eye through anterior and posterior nostrils to tip of snout, anal-fin base with a brown wide longitudinal band, and nuptial coloration with a brown vertical bar extending from dorsum to belly at midbody; in females, an orange pattern around anus.

Etymology: The specific name ‘ptasan’ is derived from the Truku language (an indigenous tribe in Taiwan), meaning ‘facial tattoo’. It refers to the dark facial lines of the new species (Figure 7a,b), which resemble the facial tattoo traditions of indigenous peoples in Taiwan and the Philippines. A noun in apposition.

Facial portraits of males in 14 Lentipes species.
(a, b) Two types of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. ((a) paratype, DOS10026, from Taiwan, photograph by K. H. Chen; (b) paratype, ASIZP0082288, from Taiwan, photograph by H. P. Liang);  (c) L. armatus from Taiwan, photograph by C. C. Yu;
(d) L. bunagaya from Taiwan, photograph by W. C. Jhuang; (e) L. dimetrodon from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (f) L. ikeae from West Java, photograph by H. P. Liang;
 (g) L. kijimuna (DOS09892-3) from Luzon, photograph by C. C. Yu; (h) L. kaaea from Taiwan, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (i) L. mekonggaensis from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(j) L. mindanaoensis from Halmahera, photograph by H. P. Liang; (k) L. multiradiatus from Seram, photograph by H. P. Liang; (l) L. palawanirufus from Palawan, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(m) L. kolobangara from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (n) L. venustus from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (o) L. whittenorum from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang. (c–f) and (h–o) Unpreserved specimens.

Wei-Cheng Jhuang, Cleto L. Nañola Jr., Xiao Fei Li and Te-Yu Liao. 2025. Lentipes ptasan, A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277 [21 November 2025]

 facebook.com/WeiChengJhuang/posts/4290413877844107

[Ichthyology • 2023] Ponticola alasanicus • A New freshwater Goby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Alazani River Basin, Georgia

 

Ponticola alasanicus

 Epitashvili, Japoshvili & Mumladze, 2023 

 

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e101095 

Abstract

Background: The South Caucasus Region and Georgia, in particular, is a biodiversity hotspot and characterised by high diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, as well as high levels of endemism. At the same time, diversity of freshwater organisms in the region remains poorly studied, including fishes. The freshwater fish fauna of the South Caucasus Region consists of 119 fish species, of which 13 species belong to the order Gobiiformes. It should be noted that gobies are amongst the poorly studied taxa in Georgia and probably unknown/undescribed species still living in the Georgian freshwater ecosystems which requires further research.

New information: Ponticola alasanicus, a new species is described from the Alazani River, western Caspian Sea Basin, Georgia. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Caspian and Black Sea Basins by having the following features: dorsal fin with VI-VII spines and 15½-16½ branched rays, anal fin with 10½-12½ branched rays; lateral line with 48-55 scales; laterally compressed body with dark brown and black blotches - scales ctenoid; first and second dorsal fins almost touching with dorsal fins bases; head large, depressed, wider than deep, its length approaches almost 3.4th of standard length; nape scaled completely; cycloid scales cover upper part of opercle, cheeks noticeably swollen; snout longer than eye, eye diameter 4.5 times its head length; lower jaw slightly protruding; upper lip is uniform; pelvic disc short, elongated and flat, not reaching the anus; the pectoral fins extends vertically through first branched dorsal fin; caudal fin rounded. Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. belongs to P. syrman group and it is separated by a minimum Kimura 2-parameter distance of 3.5, 3.6 and 4.8% from P. syrman, P. iranicus and P. patimari, respectively.  

Keywords: Ponticola alasanicus sp. n., freshwater gobies, DNA barcoding, taxonomy, Western Caspian Sea Basin

Live specimen of Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. from the type location.

Ponticola alasanicus sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: D1 – VI, D2 I / 15½-16½, A I / 10½ – 12½; nape scaled completely, scales cycloid and ctenoid, cycloid scales covering upper part of opercle; lateral line system with sub-orbital row d continuous; predorsal area is linearly concave in middle; first dorsal fin with oblique black stripe between first two or three rays, the tip of the first 3-4 rays is transparent white; species has one large dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin; ventral disc has oval/elongated shape, short, not reaching anus.

 Giorgi Epitashvili, Bella Japoshvili and Levan Mumladze. 2023. Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Alazani River Basin, Georgia. Biodiversity Data Journal. 11: e101095. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e101095 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Bathygobius mero • A New Sponge-dwelling Goby (Gobiidae: Bathygobius) from Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia

 

Bathygobius mero

Allen, Erdmann & Ishida, 2024

https://oceansciencefoundation.org/josf41f.html

A new species of goby, Bathygobius mero, is described from eastern Bali, Indonesia on the basis of 8 adult specimens, 26.3–36.0 mm SL. There are also photographic records from Sumba, Indonesia, Cebu, Philippines, and Queensland, Australia. Diagnostic features include 19–21 (usually 20) pectoral-fin rays with the upper three rays free from the membranous portion of the fin and each with two filamentous tips, a mostly scaleless predorsal midline except for two or three scales in front of first dorsal-fin origin, and 33 or 34 lateral scales. The live coloration is overall pale greyish with a dense covering of reddish-brown freckles, a brown spot (about one third of pupil size) at the uppermost part of the gill opening, and reddish-brown spotting on the fins. The new species has a commensal association with the large barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria), unlike other members of the genus, which are typically free-living bottom dwellers. It also inhabits deeper water (9–30 m, but usually below about 15 m) than most Bathygobius, which are mainly confined to shallow water less than 10 m deep.

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, systematics, coral-reef fishes, gobies, tropical western Pacific Ocean, Indo-Pacific, commensal.

Bathygobius mero, n. sp., approximately 35 mm SL,
on surface of barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria), Bali, Indonesia. 

 (photos: C. Waldrich)

Bathygobius mero, n. sp.

Etymology. The new species is named mero with reference to the MERO Foundation (Indonesian Marine Education and Research Organisation, Tulamben, Bali) for their generous sponsorship of this study. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Allen, Gerald R., Erdmann, Mark and Ishida, Nesha. 2024. A New Sponge-dwelling Goby (Gobiidae: Bathygobius) from Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 41, 46–53. https://oceansciencefoundation.org/josf.html

 https://oceansciencefoundation.org/josf41f.html

 https://zenodo.org/records/14003729

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Eviota vader • A New western Pacific Dwarfgoby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Papua New Guinea

 

Eviota vader

 Greenfield, Erdmann & Ichida, 2025

oceansciencefoundation.org/josf43c.html 

Abstract 

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota vader, is described from McLaren Fjord, Tufi, Papua New Guinea. The new species is characterized by a distinctive purplish-black coloration not found on any other species of dwarfgoby. In addition to the unusual color, it is diagnosed by the combination of a complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system, a dorsal/anal fin-formula of 8/7, some branched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray present, and no dark occipital spots or any dark spots at the base of dorsal or caudal fins. The species is apparently endemic to the Tufi region of Papua New Guinea, a location known to have microendemic species. 

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, new species, microendemic, Tufi, black dwarfgoby 

Eviota vader, holotype, CAS 249349, 11.5 mm SL, male,

Tufi, Papua New Guinea

anesthetized and underwater, (photo reversed) (M.V. Erdmann).
preserved holotype, (D.W. Greenfield).

Eviota vader, n. sp. 

Black Dwarfgoby  

Diagnosis. A species of Eviota distinguished from all congeners by a combination of a complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system (pattern 1), a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 8/7, some pectoral-fin rays branched, fifth pelvic-fin ray present, no dark occipital spots or any dark spots at the base of dorsal or caudal fins, and a broad and fringed male urogenital papilla. Entire body and fins purplish black.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the fictional dark figure Darth Vader in the Star Wars movie franchise (Fig. 3), referring to the fact that it is the darkest of all described dwarfgobies. It is treated as a noun in apposition.

 

David W. Greenfield, Mark V. Erdmann and Nesha K. Ichida. 2025. Eviota vader, A New western Pacific Dwarfgoby from Papua New Guinea (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 43, 39–44. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15786577https://oceansciencefoundation.org/josf43c.html

[Ichthyology • 2024] Gobiodon spadix • A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan

 

Gobiodon spadix

Sato & Motomura, 2024

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8 

Abstract

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. is described on the basis of 37 specimens from Kyushu, and the Osumi and Tokara Islands, southern Japan. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9–11 (modally 9); anal-fin rays I, 8 or 9 (8); pectoral-fin rays 19–21 (20); body depth at pelvic-fin origin 32.4–38.3% (mean 36.0%) of standard length; distance between first dorsal-fin origin to dorsal-most point of pectoral-fin base 50.4–64.8% (55.2%) of head length (HL); pectoral fin relatively long, its length 90.6–112.5% (100.8%) of HL; groove between isthmus and interopercle absent; body uniformly reddish-brown; coloration of all fins darker than that of body; and five narrow vertical bluish stripes on lateral surface of head. The new species is currently known from southern Japan, Papua New Guinea, and northeastern Australia.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Coral reefs, Gobiodon quinquestrigatus, Gobiodon bilineatus, Acropora 

Holotype of Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. (KAUM–I. 185291, 31.3 mm SL, Satsuma Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan).
a–c Fresh specimen; d living specimen with host coral (Acropora solitaryensis); e preserved specimen.

a, d, e Lateral, b dorsal, and c ventral views

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov.

(New English name: Akane Coral Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Akane-kobanhaze)

Etymology. The specific name “spadix” is derived from Latin meaning “reddish-brown”, in reference to the ground coloration of the head and body.

Masayuki C. Sato and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2024. Gobiodon spadix, A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan.  Ichthyological Research. 71; 422–431. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8