Okinawa Goby

Waits for its food to float by

The Okinawa goby inhabits shallow coral reefs and lives among branching stony corals, often in coastal areas. The fish depends on the corals as hiding places, and it has also a layer of poisonous mucus on its body to protect it from predators. It is also believed that the yellow colour deters predators. This species usually lives in pairs or small schools. 

The Okinawa goby is an active and peaceful fish that waits for its food to float by, but then it strikes quickly. 

Can change sex when needed

The Okinawa goby has a special technique when it comes to its sex. Certain individuals are born female and remain fertile females all their lives. Some are born and mature as females but can change their sex and become fully fertile males. But it does not end there: an Okinawa goby that has become male that choose to change back into a female again if there is need for it. 

When the Okinawa goby spawns, the female lays up to 1,000 eggs on the underside of coral branches. The male then fertilizes the eggs. The fry are left on their own after they hatch.