Shokihaze Goby

The Shokihaze goby can be further distinguished from other introduced species in the Tridentiger genus, such as the Shimofuri goby (T. bifasciatus) and the Chameleon goby (T. trigonocephalus). While the Shokihaze goby displays approximately six vertical or diagonal dusky bars along its body, the other two species feature dark horizontal stripes instead of bars. The presence of barbels is also unique to T. barbatus compared to its counterparts.

Typical size. This species can reach a length of 5.2 centimetres (2.0 in) SL. Juvenile and adult of the Shokihaze Goby have total length (TL) ranging from 13 to 121 mm (0.51 to 4.76 in).

Shokihaze goby is a species of goby native to marine and brackish waters along the coasts of eastern Asia, specifically it is native to China. It has also been introduced to the San Francisco Bay in California, United States. Both the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) export water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These water conveyance systems provide potential pathways for species dispersal into southern California. One notable example of this is the expansion of the shimofuri goby, which was facilitated by the State Water Project.

Triaenopogon barbatus is a benthic species primarily feeding on invertebrates and small fish. Its diet mainly consists of benthic invertebrates such as polychaete worms and crustaceans, as well as small fishes. In California, the shokihaze goby's diet is more diverse, including gammarid amphipods, copepods, mysids, isopods, and clam siphons. Notably, it has been observed to consume polyps of the non-native hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia, which can make up to 10% of the total gut content weight during certain seasons.