Chlamydogobius japalpa
Finke Desert-goby
One of six known desert gobies, all in the endemic Australian genus Chlamydogobius and all restricted to isolated Great Artesian Basin springs or similarly cut-off desert waters. Aquarium biology is presumed broadly similar to the widely-kept Chlamydogobius eremius (Desert Goby, covered in its own account above) unless noted otherwise below.
Species Summary
Chlamydogobius japalpa is found only in the Finke River system of central Australia — sometimes called the oldest river on Earth, its course predating the uplift of the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges. It shelters under mulm and leaf litter through the day, feeding mainly at dusk and into the night. Males show a blue slash with a yellow tip through the dorsal fin, body yellowish to brown with small vertical markings along the mid-lateral line, a black patch on the cheek and a black patch behind the pectoral fin; females share the same basic pattern but are much paler. Water requirements are considered the same as for the Desert Goby, Chlamydogobius eremius.
Compiled for Home of the Rainbowfish from ANGFA sources: N. Armstrong, “Desert gobies Chlamydogobius”, Fishes of Sahul 15, 2001, pp. 740–749.