26 ON NEW OK INSUFFICIENTLY DESCRIBED FISHES 



Anal originating below the 2nd dorsal ray and conterminous 

 with the soft dorsal, its base one fifth more than the head. 

 Base of pectoral 2' 6 in its length. Ventral fin r25 in the 

 pectoral, reaching midway to the anal. 



Purplish or reddish brown above, gradually fading 

 Into lilac below, the sides with from 40 to 50 alternate 

 darker and lighter transverse bands, which in large examples 

 are usually broken up into vertical bars. Upper surface 

 and sides of head and nape with numerous round blackish 

 spots. Fins vinous ; anterior border of first dorsal white ; 

 sometimes a dark marginal spot between the fourth and 

 tifth spines and some oblique dusky streaks basal] y ; second 

 dorsal with three series of darl: spots : caudal sometimes 

 with a few scattered spots. When newly caught, the 

 lateral transverse bars are brilliant blue and gold. {Gohi- 

 oides : a genus of Gobies to which this species bears some 

 resemblance in its strengthened dentition and the obliquity 

 of its mouth.) 



Total length 120 millim. 



Type in the Macleay Museum, Sydney University. 



East Coast of Australia. I ha\e seen and examined 

 numerous specimens from Port Jackson, the Richmond 

 River, various parts of Moreton Bay. and Great Sandy 

 Strait, in all of which places it is abundant wherever suitable 

 ground exists. It may therefore be safely predicted that 

 its range, both southward and northward, extends well 

 beyond the limits here given. 



This species is essentially a " mud goby." In the 

 Wide Bay District I had many admirable opportunities 

 of observing its habits on the vast flats left baie by each 

 recurring tide The fish either excavates for itself a burrow 

 in the mud or takes possession of the deserted burrow of 

 a worm or crab, and enlarges it to suit its own convenience.* 

 The burrow is invariably provided with two openings, 

 which may be at the bottom of a small pool, but as often 

 as not open upon the ba.re mud. Hero, if one approaches 

 cautiously, the little creature may be seen iving — legardless 

 of or perhaps enjo\dng the fierce rays of a semi-tropical 

 summer sun— close to the burrow, bent into the shape of 

 a U with one of the sides shortened, its head turned to- 



* When digging these fishes out I have never found any other animal 

 occupying the burrow along with them. 



