CR

Martenstyni's Goby

Stiphodon martenstyni

Declining

Overview

Stiphodon martenstyni, the Martenstyn's stiphodon or Martenstyn's goby, is a species of amphidromous freshwater goby endemic to the southwestern portion of Sri Lanka. The males of this species can reach a length of 3.4 centimetres (1.3 in) SL.

Stiphodon martenstyni faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its extremely limited range in the Philippines. Stream pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has compromised water quality in the freshwater systems this goby depends on. Dam construction and water extraction for human use have altered natural flow patterns, while sedimentation from deforestation upstream has degraded the clean, rocky substrates essential for feeding and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater goby inhabits clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers with rocky substrates in the Philippines. It requires well-oxygenated waters with stable flow patterns and minimal sedimentation for optimal survival and reproduction.

Wetlands (inland)· majorRocky areas· majorMarine neritic· major

Other threatened species in GOBIIDAE

VU

Pam's Dwarfgoby

Eviota pamae

Unknown
VU

Bighead Goby

Glossogobius macrocephalus

Unknown
EN

Rhinogobius lineatus

Declining
EN

Lipstick Goby

Sicyopus jonklaasi

Declining

Threatened in Sri Lanka

Indian Star TortoiseVU

Indian Star Tortoise

Geochelone elegans

Declining
EN

Ceylonosticta nietneri

Declining
EN

Martenstyni's Barb

Systomus martenstyni

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Martenstyni's Goby classified as Critically Endangered?
Martenstyni's Goby is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Stiphodon martenstyni faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its extremely limited range in the Philippines. Stream pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has compromised water quality in the freshwater systems this goby depends on. Dam construction and water extraction for human use have altered natural flow patterns, while sedimentation from deforestation upstream has degraded the clean, rocky substrates essential for feeding and reproduction.
Where does Martenstyni's Goby live?
Martenstyni's Goby occurs in Sri Lanka. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Martenstyni's Goby?
The main threats to Martenstyni's Goby are 1.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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