Chlamydogobius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chlamydogobius |
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| Desert Goby, (C. eremius) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Oxudercidae |
| Subfamily: | Gobionellinae |
| Genus: | Chlamydogobius Whitley, 1930 |
| Type species | |
| Gobius eremius Zietz, 1896
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The Chlamydogobius are a group of small fish called gobies. They mostly live in the fresh waters of Australia, like springs, pools, and streams. One type, the Tadpole goby (C. ranunculus), lives near the coast. These amazing fish can survive in some really tough places!
Surviving in Tough Places
Many Chlamydogobius species live in extreme environments. For example, some are found in water from hot springs. The Dalhousie goby lives in the warm waters around Dalhousie Springs.
These gobies can handle water with very different conditions. They can live in water that is quite warm or cool, from about 3°C (37°F) to 43°C (109°F). They can also survive in water with different pH levels, from slightly acidic to quite alkaline. Some can even live in water that is almost twice as salty as the ocean!
What's more, these fish can survive when there's very little oxygen in the water. Their homes often have low oxygen levels.
How They Cope
To deal with very low oxygen, Chlamydogobius fish sometimes come out of the water to "gulp" air. This is like taking a breath above water. They also position themselves over beds of algae. Algae produce oxygen, so this helps the fish get more air.
When the water gets too hot, these gobies will hide. They might go into the mud, under a plant, or beneath a rock. Sometimes, they even pop out of very hot water for a short time. This helps them cool down as the water evaporates from their bodies.
These fish are also tough during floods and droughts. If their habitat shrinks during a drought, they can still survive. If there's a flood and the water flows very fast, they can hold onto rocks using their special pelvic fins.
Chlamydogobius fish are also masters of disguise! They can change their colors to blend in with their surroundings. This helps them hide from predators.
Conservation
Sadly, some Chlamydogobius species are now endangered. This is because human activities, like drilling for water in Australia, have reduced the water pressure in the underground aquifers. These aquifers feed the hot springs that the gobies depend on.
Species
There are currently six types of Chlamydogobius fish known:
- Chlamydogobius eremius (Zietz, 1896) (Desert goby)
- Chlamydogobius gloveri Larson, 1995 (Dalhousie goby)
- Chlamydogobius japalpa Larson, 1995 (Finke goby)
- Chlamydogobius micropterus Larson, 1995 (Elizabeth springs goby)
- Chlamydogobius ranunculus Larson, 1995 (Tadpole goby)
- Chlamydogobius squamigenus Larson, 1995 (Edgbaston goby)
