Rhinogobius, Gill, 1859

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 690-692

Rhinogobius

Rhinogobius is a large group of small gobies widely distributed in East and Southeast Asia. It is estimated that there are around 112 species in the genus, with many more yet to be described. Stream gobies exhibit a wide range of life history traits, with some species inhabiting coastal rivers and streams, being amphidromous and producing many eggs and small pelagic larvae. These species often have large distribution areas. Others inhabit headwater streams and lay few eggs from which large benthic larvae hatch. A significant proportion of these species are endemic to

a single or few rivers, and only a small proportion have likely been described. Consequently, the identification of Rhinogobius species is challenging, as only a few regional faunas have been extensively studied, while Rhinogobius from China, Russia, and Vietnam remain largely unstudied. One Rhinogobius species is non-native in West Asia, and it is believed to have been introduced from Central Asia to Iran as a contaminant of commercially cultivated fishes such as Chinese carps ( Ctenopharyngodon , Hypophthalmichthys ). It is thought to originate from the Russian Amur, from where it was introduced to Central Asia during Soviet times. Chinese carps have also been introduced to Central from the Persian Gulf but has not been confirmed recently. Asia from China (e.g., from Wuhan, Yangtze). It cannot be Further reading. Endruweit 2018; Huang et al. 2016; Chen excluded that the non-native Rhinogobius originate from et al. 2002; Chen & Shao 1996; Shibukawa 2020 (diversity, life outside the Amur. These Rhinogobius have been identified history); Vasil’eva 2007 (Central Asia). as R. similis , R. lindbergi , or R. cheni . Still, identification of the species is based only on the assumption that it has been Rhinogobius sp. introduced from the Amur drainage and that these are the Common name. Stream goby. only similar species in the Amur. Rhinogobius is a very spe- Diagnosis. Distinguished from other gobies in West Asia by: ciose genus, and many undescribed species are expected to ● first dorsal with bluish-iridescent, small blotches on 1–2 nd occur in China and the Russian part of the Amur drainage. dorsal membrane in male / ● orange spot on gill-membrane A comprehensive identification of non-native Rhinogobius in male / ○ 5–6 rays in first dorsal / ○ lower lip very slightly is only possible when the diversity of Chinese Rhinogobius projecting beyond upper lip / ○ caudal roundish / ○ flank species is better understood. The species has expanded its mottled or marbled, or with 6–8 irregularly shaped bars or range in the western Caspian basin and Iran. It has recently blotches / ○ cheek without rows of pores. Size up to 52 mm SL. also reached the Rioni in the Georgian Black Sea basin, Distribution. Introduced and invasive in southern Caspian opening the door for a westward invasion. As it continues basin from Kura east to Gorgan. Also in Rioni (Black Sea basin), to be introduced as a weed with commercial fish, it could Lakes Urmia and Namak basins, Iranian Tigris drainage, and virtually be found everywhere, especially in areas where Hari. Was introduced in Columbia drainage of western United carps are stocked. In addition to the species discussed States, Central Asia, and parts of Russia and China, where it is here, R. brunneus or a similar species, has been recorded not native. Believed to be native to Amur drainage.

Rhinogobius sp. ; Lake Urmia basin, Iran; female, ~ 40 mm SL.

Rhinogobius sp. ; Amur Darja drainage, Uzbekistan; male, ~ 40 mm SL.

Habitat. A wide range of rivers, streams, and coastal wet-

lands, also in Caspian Sea. Often found in habitats with sub-

merged vegetation.

Biology. Poorly known. Lives one year and spawns first

spring. Eggs laid under or between stones, plants or shells.

Feeds on small invertebrates.

Conservation status. Non-native; introduced as a weed

with carp and/or Chinese carps.

Further reading. Al-Hassan & Miller 1987 (record of R. brunneus); Coad & Abdoli 2000 (records from Iran as R. similis); Bogutskaya et al. 2008 (colour pattern from Amur);

Vasil’eva & Kuga 2008 (identification as R. cheni in Central

Asia); Eagderi & Moradi 2017 (records from Urmia); Eagderi

et al. 2018a (records from Tigris); Sadeghi et al. 2018 (identi-

fication as R. lindbergi ).

Coastal wetlands are major habitats of Gobies,pipefishes, silversides, and killifish, as here in Oman.