New Shrimpgoby Species Unearthed in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

A newly-discovered gobiid fish species, Tomiyamichthys elliotensis, commonly known as the Lady Elliot shrimp goby, has been found exclusively on Lady Elliot Island at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. However, researchers speculate that it may also inhabit the Capricorn-Bunker Reefs and could be widespread throughout the entire Great Barrier Reef.

Tomiyamichthys elliotensis belongs to the genus of Indo-Pacific gobiid fishes, which typically inhabit the sand-rubble bottoms near coral reefs. These shrimpgobies are known for sharing their burrows with alpheid snapping shrimps, where the fish act as lookouts to warn shrimps of approaching predators. In return, the shrimps maintain the burrows.

This recent discovery marks the 19th member of the Tomiyamichthys genus. The fish, with its small size and distinctive appearance, boasts a unique sail-like first dorsal fin along with brown spots and yellow-orange bands. It was first observed in a sand burrow it shares with alpheid snapping shrimps.

What makes this finding even more significant is the fact that such a previously undocumented fish was discovered in the shallows of the reef, which is unusual, as most new species are typically found in the deep sea. The Lady Elliot Island collections have also revealed several potential new species, primarily tiny gobies belonging to the genus Eviota.

This discovery highlights the importance of biodiversity research, shedding light on these often overlooked “cryptobenthic” species like gobies. These small fish not only contribute significantly to the reef’s biodiversity but also serve as a crucial food source for larger reef fishes.

The study of Tomiyamichthys elliotensis is detailed in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, underlining the ongoing exploration of the remarkable ecosystems within the Great Barrier Reef.