FIRST DATA OF GOBY FISH IN TIEN HAI WETLAND NATURE RESERVE, THAI BINH PROVINCE

Abstract

Gobiiformes is the second diverse order of fish, with more than 2000 species in the world, and 99 species in Vietnam. Many of them are commercially economic important. To understand goby fish diversity in a mangrove forest, three surveys were conducted in March, July, and August 2019 from Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve, Thai Binh Province. Based on morphology, a total of 25 species in 3 families of goby fish were determined in the study area. Of which, one is an endangered species (Bostrychus sinensis) as the CR category, and a number of new records were found, including one species for Vietnam (Wuhanlinigobius polylepsis), 5 species for northern Vietnam, and 9 species for the study area. Regarding the distribution pattern, the fauna from the study area shared much with those from others where mangroves and estuaries present, implying the importance of these ecosystems for goby fish. Furthermore, the maximum number of these shared goby species is 16, showing a diverse and unique characteristic of this fauna. These findings will be important information for further fish diversity conservation and fisheries exploitation in the study area.