First record in Europe of the Asian gobiid, shimofuri (marbled) goby Tridentiger bifasciatus Steindachner, 1881

In November 2022, two shimofuri (marbled) gobies Tridentiger bifasciatus Steindachner, 1881 were caught in the Gent-Terneuzen shipping canal, Belgium. It is the first record of the species in Europe. Outside its native distribution area in Japan, China and South Korea, thus far the shimofuri goby has been observed only on the West Coast of the USA, where established populations exist. The introduction vector potentially was ballast water exchange.

Automated summary

In November 2022, two marbled gobies were caught in the Gent-Terneuzen shipping canal in Belgium, marking the first record of this species in Europe. The shimofuri goby, originally from Japan, China, and South Korea, has only been observed on the West Coast of the USA where established populations exist. The introduction vector is likely to be ballast water exchange.