Whitebarred Goby out of range

An oldie but a goodie!

An interesting observation was made by Andrew Green (@dentrock) in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, back in April 2016. This observation occurred five months before the Australasian Fishes Project went online. Andrew spotted a Whitebarred Goby, Amblygobius phalaena, which expanded the known distribution of the species approximately 150 kilometers south of its previously recognized southern limit of Sydney. You can find more information about the distribution of this species at the Australian Faunal Directory.

Andrew expressed his surprise at encountering the fish, considering his familiarity with it from tropical and Lord Howe Island surveys. He mentioned that identifying the species is relatively easy, thanks to its distinctive shape and demeanor or "vibe," making it unlikely to be confused with other species. He also mentioned that photographing it posed no challenges, as the Whitebarred Goby is not a shy species and can be easily approached. Andrew further noted that he hasn't seen a Whitebarred Goby in Jervis Bay since 2016. That particular year might have been favorable for tropical vagrants.