Giant bully

Giant bully
Naturally Uncommon
Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Division: Teleostei
Order: Gobiiformes
Family: Eleotridae
Genus: Gobiomorphus
Species:
G. gobioides
Binomial name
Gobiomorphus gobioides
(Valenciennes, 1837)
Approximate known distribution (in orange) of the giant bully on a map of New Zealand
Synonyms
  • Eleotris gobioides Valenciennes, 1837

The giant bully (Gobiomorphus gobioides), tītarakura, or tīpokopoko (Māori), is a species of fish in the family Eleotridae endemic to New Zealand.

Description

Giant bully by Frank E. Clarke, 1870

This is the largest species of bully and it can reach more than 25 cm (10 in) in length, but most are 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in). Adults are generally found near the coast in freshwater, tidal or estuarine habitats. The breeding behavior is poorly known, but the species is considered diadromous and it is suspected that the larvae spend time in the sea.

It is very similar to the common bully (which can reach up to 15 cm or 5.9 in), but it has six dorsal spines, where the common bully usually has seven.

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread throughout the country in the coastal lower ends of rivers and estuarine habitats.

Conservation status

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Naturally Uncommon" with the qualifiers of "Data Poor" and "Range Restricted".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ling, N.; West, D.; Closs, G.; Franklin, P.; Allibone, R.; Crow, S.; David, B. (2014). "Gobiomorphus gobioides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014 e.T197320A2482119. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T197320A2482119.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Gobiomorphus gobioides". FishBase. April 2013 version.
  3. ↑ "tīpokopoko – Māori Dictionary". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  4. ↑ "tītarakura – Māori Dictionary". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Giant Bully". NIWA Fish Atlas. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  6. ↑ McDowall, R.M. (1997-03-01). "Note on the conservation status of the giant bully, Gobiomorphus gobioides (Teleostei: Eleotridae)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 27 (1): 163–172. Bibcode:1997JRSNZ..27..163M. doi:10.1080/03014223.1997.9517529. ISSN 0303-6758.
  7. ↑ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 2025-08-02.