Invasion of the Asian goby, Acentrogobius pflaumii, into New Zealand, with new locality records of the introduced bridled goby, Arenigobius bifrenatus

Abstract The Asian goby, Acentrogobius pflaumii (Bleeker, 1853), is reported from New Zealand waters for the first time. It was collected by beach seine in 2001–02 from muddy substrata in the upper reaches of the Waitemata and Whangapoua Harbours. We suggest that A. pflaumii has been introduced to New Zealand, probably in ship ballast water. It may have arrived directly from its native range in the north‐west Pacific Ocean, or indirectly via Australia, which it invaded before 1996. The Australian bridled goby, Arenigobius bifrenatus (Kner, 1865), which is also thought to have invaded New Zealand via ballast water, is here recorded from three new locations, extending its known New Zealand range to five different harbours spanning c. 150 km of coastline. This species is more widespread than previously thought and appears well established. Both gobies have been found only on the east coast of the North Island.