Fin-joined Goby
Gobulus birdsongi
The Fin-joined Goby (Gobulus birdsongi) is a small marine fish characterized by its distinctive fused pelvic fins that form a disc-like sucker structure. This cryptic species displays mottled brown and gray coloration that provides excellent camouflage among coral rubble and rocky substrates.
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Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Perciformes
Family
Gobiidae
Genus
Gobulus
Fin-joined Goby belongs to the family Gobiidae, order Perciformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
The Fin-joined Goby (Gobulus birdsongi) is a small marine fish characterized by its distinctive fused pelvic fins that form a disc-like sucker structure. This cryptic species displays mottled brown and gray coloration that provides excellent camouflage among coral rubble and rocky substrates. As a benthic predator, it plays an important role in controlling small invertebrate populations while serving as prey for larger reef fish.
The Fin-joined Goby faces severe threats primarily from habitat degradation and loss of its specialized coral reef environment in the Caribbean. Climate change-induced coral bleaching, coastal development, and water pollution are rapidly destroying the limited reef habitats this endemic species depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
The Fin-joined Goby inhabits shallow coral reef environments, particularly favoring crevices and caves within coral formations at depths of 3-25 meters. It shows strong preference for areas with mixed coral rubble, live hard corals, and sandy patches where it can easily anchor using its specialized fin disc.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Fin-joined Goby faces severe threats primarily from habitat degradation and loss of its specialized coral reef environment in the Caribbean. Climate change-induced coral bleaching, coastal development, and water pollution are rapidly destroying the limited reef habitats this endemic species depends on for survival.
Climate change and ocean warming
Coastal development and habitat destruction
Coral reef degradation and bleaching
Extremely limited range and population size
Water pollution and sedimentation
Found in 1 Country
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Fin-joined Goby (Gobulus birdsongi). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fin-joined-goby