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New Record of Fish Species to Hong Kong: Sicyopterus lagocephalus (Pallas, 1770) (Red-tailed Goby)

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Freshwater Fish Working Group recorded one individual of Red-tailed Goby (Sicyopterus lagocephalus) during their ecological survey on Hong Kong Island in October 2023. It is a new species record for Hong Kong. Features of Red-tailed Goby include: a round head; inferior mouth; two dorsal fins; round and long pectoral fins; a golden-yellow or pale red caudal fin surrounded by black markings; lateral side with 6-7 black cloudlike blotches. Spines on first dorsal fin of adult male extend as filaments. Adult male turns metallic blue during breeding season. Standard length of Red-tailed Goby can be up to 13cm.

Red-tailed Goby is an amphidromous fish. Hatched larvae drift into marine habitat. After reaching juvenile stage they migrate back to freshwater stream and stay there until the end of their life cycle. Red-tailed Goby prefers fast-flowing, clear and well-oxygenated streams. It has strong upstream swimming ability. It mainly feeds on algae and aquatic insects etc. Globally, Red-tailed Goby has a wide distribution, including Taiwan (China), Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Australia and some Pacific and Indian Ocean islands.