Rhinogobius sp.

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 691-692

Rhinogobius sp.

Common name. Stream goby.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other gobies in West Asia by: ● first dorsal with bluish-iridescent, small blotches on 1–2 nd dorsal membrane in male / ● orange spot on gill-membrane in male / ○ 5–6 rays in first dorsal / ○ lower lip very slightly projecting beyond upper lip / ○ caudal roundish / ○ flank mottled or marbled, or with 6–8 irregularly shaped bars or blotches / ○ cheek without rows of pores. Size up to 52 mm SL.

Distribution . Introduced and invasive in southern Caspian basin from Kura east to Gorgan. Also in Rioni (Black Sea basin), Lakes Urmia and Namak basins, Iranian Tigris drainage, and Hari. Was introduced in Columbia drainage of western United States, Central Asia, and parts of Russia and China, where it is not native. Believed to be native to Amur drainage.

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 ).

Figures

Rhinogobius sp.

Distribution