The tiny Elizabeth Springs Goby is found only in marshy pools at Elizabeth Springs in Queensland. They are around 3cm long with greyish yellow scales. The Elizabeth Spring Goby is one of five related goby species. It and the Edgbaston Goby have been ecologically marooned.

Threats

The habitat of the Elizabeth Springs Goby is threatened by the extraction of water from the Great Artesian Basin by man-made bores. The flow rate of water from the mound springs has reduced by approximately 70% resulting in the loss of considerable goby habitat. The remaining habitat has been damaged by damaged by cattle, goats and feral pigs.

Quollity Conservation Hub's Vulnerability Score:

36

To help compare the relative vulnerability of different species, we have developed a scoring system based on biological and ecological characteristics that influence a species' ability to survive and recover from environmental change and natural disasters.

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The framework is adapted from assessment methods used by conservation experts following the Black Summer bushfires to help identify species most in need of conservation action, research, and recovery funding.

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Each species is assessed using a range of factors, including its conservation status, lifespan, reproductive rate, habitat and dietary requirements, ability to disperse or recover after fire, and the number and severity of threats it faces.

In general, the higher a species' score, the greater its overall vulnerability and risk of decline or extinction.

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Like all conservation assessments, this scoring system is limited by the information currently available. Many threatened species remain poorly studied and receive limited research funding, meaning some assessments rely on the best available scientific knowledge or information from closely related species. As new research becomes available, scores may be updated to reflect our improved understanding.