Abstract
The Rhinogobius (Perciformes, Gobiidae), is a species-rich freshwater gobiid genus. In this article, the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of the Rhinogobius cliffordpopei was first determined. The mtDNA of R. cliffordpopei consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. In the phylogenetic tree, R. cliffordpopei firstly joined with R. brunneu s, and next clustered with R. giurinus. Then, they constituted Gobiidae clade with the rest other six species. This relationship consists of taxonomic status. The results would provide basal molecular data for the future research of adaptive evolution in Rhinogobius.