Bryaninops yongei (Davis & Cohen, 1969)

Common Name and Base Coloration

Commonly known as the whip coral goby, Bryaninops yongei has a semi-transparent head and body, with white scales running along its vertebra. Its head ranges in color from reddish-brown to violet, and its eyes are pink to violet-red.

Color Matching Trait

The species' coloration is noted to match the color of the coral it inhabits.

Adult Size

Adult whip coral gobies are approximately 3 to 3.5 centimeters long.

Fin and Spine Count

Healthy individuals have seven dorsal spines, seven dorsal soft rays, one anal spine, and seven anal soft rays.

Pelvic Fin and Gill Structure

They also have cup-like pelvic fins, and their gills open below the base of the pectoral fins.

Confirmed Distribution Range

Confirmed populations of the whip coral goby are found around the Marshall Islands, Chagos Archipelago, and Samoa.

Habitat and Depth Range

This species lives in and around stinging coral, and most often lives in heterosexual pairs associated with the wire coral species Cirrhipathes anguina (family Antipathidae), at depths between 3 and 45 metres (9.8 and 147.6 ft).

Human Use

It is also sold in the aquarium trade.

Reproduction Method

Whip coral gobies reproduce via benthic spawning, a process where eggs and sperm are released for external fertilization.

Sex Change Capability

They can also change their sex to correct a gender imbalance within a pair.