Edgbaston goby
Edgbaston goby (Chlamydogobius squamigenus).
© Gunther Schmida
Common name: Edgbaston goby
Scientific name: Chlamydogobius squamigenus
Legislative name: Chlamydogobius sp. B
Conservation status: The Edgbaston goby is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992) and 'Vulnerable' nationally ( Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The Edgbaston goby is a small bottom dwelling species that grows to about 60mm in length. Males in breeding condition become quite colourful. The body colour grades from olive on the back to golden yellow on the belly with a chequered pattern of dark blotches on the rear sides. The fins are varying shades and patterns of blue to black and have a greyish white margin. The top of the first dorsal fin has a yellow flash.
Habitat and distribution: The habitat requirements for Chlamydogobius species appear to be shallow, clear water bodies free from larger fishes. Recent specimens have usually been collected in shallow artesian springs amongst emergent vegetation or from artesian bore drains. Chlamydogobius species are able to tolerate a wide variety of water qualities in captivity and it is unlikely that water quality restricts their distribution in the wild.
This species is known from Edgbaston Springs on Edgbaston Station, approximately 30km north-east of Aramac in central Queensland. Gobies genetically similar to Edgbaston gobies have also been found in bore drains on Crossmoor Station. Edgbaston Springs and Crossmoor Station are located in the Thomson River catchment, which is a part of the Cooper Creek system. Edgbaston gobies were formerly known from eleven springs but presently occur in only six springs.
Behaviour and life history: The Edgbaston goby is a bottom dwelling species. During daylight, adult gobies shelter near or amongst emergent vegetation. Juveniles may occur throughout a spring but are usually found in shallower areas than the adults.
Reproduction is only known from captive populations. Spawning occurs at temperatures above 20°C. The male selects a site, which is often a cave beneath a rock. The male display involves extension of all fins and jerky swimming movements around the selected site. Females attracted by the male's display are guided to the site by the male. Spawning usually occurs at night and lasts for about one hour. The male guards approximately 40-100 eggs, which are attached to the ceiling of the cave. Elongate water-hardened eggs are between 2.5 and 3.0mm long and about 0.8-1.0mm in diameter. Hatching commences after ten days and may extend over several days. Newly hatched larvae are between 5 and 6mm. Juveniles may be found all year round but appear to be less common during winter months.
Threatening processes: Threats to the Edgbaston goby include land degradation by domestic and feral animals, competition with mosquito fish Gambusia holbrooki, physical alteration of the springs to increase the volume of water for stock, reduced habitat area and quality resulting from exotic ponded pasture1 species and diminishing spring flows resulting from water extraction.
Recovery actions:
- Eradicate mosquito fish from the springs.
- Eradicate ponded pasture species from the springs.
- Encourage landholder involvement in programs promoting more efficient water-use.
- Manage cattle grazing and control feral pigs so that damage is restricted to less than 10 percent of an individual wetland.
- Monitor existing population numbers and study the species biology and ecology.
- Control all bores affecting groundwater flows to Edgbaston Springs.
- Monitor groundwater flows to Edgbaston Springs.
What can be done to help this species?
- Help prevent further spread of exotic pest fish by never releasing these species into natural waterways and reporting sightings to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (call 13 25 23).
- Maintain/upgrade fences at Edgbaston Springs to exclude feral pigs from the springs
- Avoid excavating spring wetlands containing Edgbaston goby populations.
- Do not plant exotic ponded pastures or other exotic weeds in the spring wetlands.
- Do not construct dams that would result in the flooding of springs.
- Avoid developing new bores for groundwater use or using existing bores that will result in reduced discharge at springs containing Edgbaston goby populations.
Further information:
Fensham, R, Fairfax, R. and Wager, R. (in prep). Draft Recovery Plan for the Edgbaston goby Chlamydogobius squamigenus 2007-2011. Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.
1.Ponded pastures are created by building earth banks to impound water and plant grass species. These systems supplement more extensive grazing practices by providing food for livestock.
Last updated: 21 August 2007