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Issue: Vol. 5723 No. 2: 25 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-25
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5723.2.1
Page range: 151-188
Abstract views: 49
PDF downloaded: 3

Goby spotting: An updated guide to goral gobies (Genus: Gobiodon) in the Indo-Pacific Region

School of Science; University of Wollongong; Wollongong; New South Wales; Australia.
School of Biological Sciences; University of Alabama; United States of America.; Dauphin Island Sea Lab; Dauphin Island; Alabama; USA.
School of Life Sciences University of Technology Sydney; Sydney; Australia.
School of Science; University of Wollongong; Wollongong; New South Wales; Australia.
Pisces Gobiodon coral reefs Indo-Pacific

Abstract

Genus Gobiodon are obligate coral dwelling cryptic fishes. Gobiodon form a mutualistic relationship with host scleractinian corals, making them integral to coral reef ecosystem functioning. Despite this, they are often omitted from fish assemblage studies, biodiversity surveys and coral reef fish guides due to confusion on species identification. The guide aims to provide a comprehensive description of the main diagnostic features for the majority of Gobiodon species distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Species of the genus can be observed occupying host corals of the genera Acropora, Stylophora, Hydnophora and Echinopora on coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Gobiodon species are known for their cryptic behaviours and are distinguishable using body colouration and colour markings. There are 31 described species, 26 of which have undisputed species status and sufficient data to include in this guide. We provide live colouration descriptions, known coral hosts, reef habitats and geographic ranges for each species. Recent developments in understanding the sociality and genetic relationships of this genus have also been incorporated. Useful field resources such as an identification key, occurrence table with accompanying map, and a colour plate of the encompassed species, have been included.

 

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How to Cite

Hildebrandt, C.A., Froehlich, C.Y.M., Klanten, O.S. & Wong, M.Y.L. (2025) Goby spotting: An updated guide to goral gobies (Genus: Gobiodon) in the Indo-Pacific Region. Zootaxa, 5723 (2), 151–188. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.2.1