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New Record of Fish Species to Hong Kong: Rhyacichthys aspro (Valenciennes, 1837) (Loach Goby)

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Freshwater Fish Working Group found one individual of Loach Goby (Rhyacichthys aspro) during their ecological survey on Hong Kong Island in September 2018. It is a new species record for Hong Kong. Loach Goby resembles a hillstream loach (Balitoridae), but indeed it is under the suborder Gobioidei, together with other gobies and sleepers. Features of Loach Goby include: a flat head; inferior mouth; long caudal peduncle; two dorsal fins; round and broad pectoral fins spreading horizontally; pelvic fins separated; caudal fin slightly forked; lateral side with 5 black blotches; central, upper and lower parts of caudal fin base each with one black spot. Maximum size of Loach Goby can be up to 32cm (standard length).

Loach 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. Loach 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, Loach Goby is widely distributed in Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Mainland China and Japan etc.