Key to the Species of Gobulus
modified from Hoese and Reader 2002

1a	D2 with 12 elements, anal 14, dorsals partly connected ……………. birdsongi
1b	D2 with 11-12 elements, anal 10-11, dorsals separate ………………… 2
2a	Pelvic interspinal membrane present, but reduced; eye small, less than 0.8 into snout; body darker below, with upper edge of dark pigment above midline in adults; pectoral rays generally 16 ………….. hancocki
2b	Pelvic interspinal membrane rudimentary or absent; eye larger 0.8 or greater in snout; body dark below with upper edge of dark pigment along midline of side of body, countershading obscure in large specimens….............................................................…………… crescentalis