Latin name

Gobiodon okinawae

Other names

Okinawa goby, yellow coral goby.

Identification

Characterized by the absence of scales, pelvic fin frenulum, and basal webbing. Body depth at the level of the pelvic fins is 2.7-3.5 inches.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. 

Fish colouring

Their bodies are bright yellow, their cheeks a little paler. 

Distribution

The area is located in the western Pacific Ocean and covers an area from southern Japan to the southern Great Barrier Reef. 

Habitat

A marine, tropical 20°C to 25°C species. Depth range 0 - 15 m, usually 2 - 15 m. Coral reefs and sheltered lagoons are the habitat of this species. 

Size

Reach a length of 3.5 centimeters. 

Behavior

It occurs in groups of 5-15 individuals. 

In general, the fish are not aggressive, although they may actively defend their territory against conspecifics. Their main defense against predators is the poisonous, bitter mucus on their skin, which renders them inedible.

Unlike most gobies, which burrow on the bottom, they live and sleep on the branches of Acropora corals. 

Food and feeding habits

The diet consists mainly of plankton. In this case, the fish prefer active hunting, waiting until the prey is no longer approaching them. Then they charge forward, grab the prey, and immediately return to their coral.Reproduction

Reproduction

Hermaphrodites that begin life as females. When a pair forms, one of the partners may change sex. When two females mate, the larger female becomes the male. If two males mate, the smaller of the two becomes the female.

The female lays up to 1000 eggs in bands around the coral branches. The male immediately fertilizes the eggs and guards them until the fry hatch. This takes about 5 days.

Fishing

This species is not interesting for fishermen.

Relationship with a person

Used in aquariums.