PORT PHILLIP BAY


Glassgoby 

Gobiopterus semivestitus

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: V; 7-10
Anal fin spines/rays: 11-13
Caudal fin rays: (segmented) 17
Pectoral fin rays: 14-15
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5
Lateral line: -

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A large and highly diverse group of modern bony fishes many of which have a generalized perch like body form. Most have pelvic fins with one spine and 5 rays and the maxillary bone is excluded from the gape of the mouth. Interrelationships of the group are poorly understood and continue to be studied. They inhabit almost all aquatic habitats from high-altitude strams to the deep sea, although most are marine.

Family level detail.
Very large family representing almost 10% percent of all fish species. More than 230 genera and 1500 species are recognised worldwide, and there are more than 90 genera and 330 described species known from Australian waters.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Gobiidae
Genus:
Gobiopterus
Species:
semivestitus

General Description

Small transparent fishes with slender compressed bodies, a rounded head and an almost vertical mouth; pelvic fins minute, fused. Males and females are sexually dimorphic - males with large, flattened teeth, females with minute, conical teeth. Transparent with small scattered spots, and a series of tiny black spots along anal fin base to tail. To 3.5 cm, rarely longer than 2.5 cm.

Biology

Glassgobies often form large schools in estuaries and in the upper reaches of bays, often entering freshwater. They are rarely seen due to their small size and transparent bodies, and are often mistaken for larvae.

Distribution guide

South-eastern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Gobies

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Glassgoby, Gobiopterus semivestitus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6391

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