Skip to main content
Close

Common Bully

Gobiomorphus cotidianus

Photo by triggsturner
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-38.6844, 175.964

Field Notes

Description:

Small endemic solidly built fish. Non breeding males and females are pale brown with darker brown blotches. Narrow pale vertical stripe at the base of the pectoral fin and usually three fine brown stripes (look a little like whiskers) running horizontal below the eye on the cheek. First dorsal fin has 7 spines. Head slightly more elongated than other Bully species. Fish found in streams with access to the sea have several well defined head pores but in lake fish pores are not always present or obvious. Can grow up to 120mm but usually 100mm and lake fish tend to be smaller.

Habitat:

Found in streams with access to the sea, however fresh water colonies will readily form in inland lakes given the opportunity. These fish were caught and released in Lake Taupo in Central North Island of New Zealand.

Notes:

Common Bully's can be frustratingly similar to other species but the combination of ID markers and the location of these fish make identification certain.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

What a name. Bullies are a bandwagon here.. probably there too. :)
Thank you Rach. I will try to photograph a male in breeding colours. They look quite different.
Often see these along the shore of Lake Taupo, but never had a good look at them. They are very intricately marked when seen up close. Excellent photos.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon