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Chameleon goby (Tridentiger trigonocephalus)

The chameleon goby is a non-native fish established in Australia, with detections in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. Monitoring and reporting help land managers and site crews track its presence and avoid moving live fish or water between sites.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, fish.

Native to: North-west Pacific, from southern China to Vladivostok, Japan and nearby Asian waters.

Established in: NSW, VIC, SA, WA.

Other names: Trident goby.

Identification

  • It is a small, bottom-dwelling fish, usually less than 90 mm long, though some individuals reach 120 mm.
  • Look for a grey-brown body with two dark stripes running lengthwise along the sides.
  • The head is white-speckled and scaled, and the caudal fin is rounded.
  • The stripes can fade in larger fish and may become more distinct after capture.
  • Look-alike: Larger individuals may be confused with native gobies; check the scale pattern, head features and fin shape.

Where it lives

In Australia it lives in marine, estuarine and brackish waters, often around rocky reefs, oyster and mussel beds, and artificial structures.

Why it matters

  • It is a non-native fish that has established in Australian waters.
  • Its broad environmental tolerance and use of varied habitats can help it persist in different settings.
  • Watch for it during site work and report suspected sightings so its distribution can be monitored.

How it spreads

  • Vessel ballast water is believed to have been the pathway for its introduction to Australia.
  • Do not move live fish or untreated water between waterways.

Control methods

  • Report suspected sightings to the relevant state or territory biosecurity agency and follow its advice.
  • Where removal is authorised, use only locally approved fish-capture methods and handle captured fish in accordance with local requirements.
  • Do not release captured fish or transfer them to another waterway; check local rules for their disposal.
  • Check treated sites again and report further sightings, as follow-up helps assess whether removal has been effective.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Before moving between waterways, clean boats and equipment and remove fish, plant material and mud; drain bilges, live wells and other water-holding spaces where permitted.
  • Do not transfer water, fish or wet gear between sites without following local aquatic biosecurity guidance.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Prohibited matter. Report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 within 24 hours and do not move or deal with it. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Notifiable aquatic pest. It must not be possessed, bought, sold, moved or released in NSW, and you must notify NSW DPIRD within one working day of finding it. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Noxious aquatic species. Declared a noxious aquatic species under the Fisheries Act 1995, so it must not be brought into Victoria, kept, sold, moved or released into waters. Report any sighting to the Victorian Fisheries Authority on 13 FISH (13 3474).
  • South Australia: Noxious species. Declared a noxious species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, so it must not be brought into South Australia, kept, sold or released, and it must not be returned to the water alive. Report any sighting to PIRSA FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.
  • Western Australia: Noxious fish. Prescribed as a noxious fish under the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995, so it must not be brought into WA, kept, sold or released. This applies in any area of the State except the Port of Bunbury, the Port of Fremantle and the Swan River. Report any sighting to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
  • Tasmania: Declared pest. It is a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas). Report sightings to Biosecurity Tasmania and follow any management requirements.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Declared pest, prohibited. It is a declared pest throughout the ACT. Dealing with it, such as selling, moving or keeping it, is prohibited.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources