Lives exclusively on Cirripathes anguina found along current-swept drop-offs or backreefs . Benthic . Occurs in pairs, occasionally with juvenile or a smaller female, Ref. 48637. Also found on seaward and lagoon reefs in 3-45 m (Ref 90102). Feeds on zooplanktons .
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 10. Characterized by semi-transparent upper body and brownish on lower; body with few evident dark bars; 3-6 lowermost pectoral rays unbranched and thickened; longitudinal scale series 26-58; cup-like pelvic fins with pocket-like thickened, folded and lobed frenum; opening of gill reaching ventrally to below base of pectoral fin .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whip coral goby is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn Location
Benthic
Benthic spawner. Bi-directional sex change may occur as suggested by a monogamous mating system and bisexual gonadal phase .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 45 m . Tropical; 22°C - 26°C ; 30°N - 28°S north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the northern Great Barrier Reef.
Mauritius
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.2±0.3
Food Items
zooplanktons (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00741 × L3.09
(TL)
Max TL
3.5cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
9
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
Temperature Range
22–26°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N
–
28°S
Described By
Davis & Cohen, 1969
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Whip coral goby is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
Cloudy or sunken eyes
Strong fishy or ammonia odour
Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
BakingGrillingPan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutrient
Amount
Protein
17.7 g
Omega-3 (total)
111 mg
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Whip coral goby has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (Editors)
(2024).
FishBase.
World Wide Web electronic publication.
FishBase Consortium.
Link
↗
Conservation
IUCN
(2024).
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Version 2024-1.
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Link
↗
Taxonomy
GBIF Secretariat
(2024).
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy.
Checklist dataset.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
DOI ↗
Nutrition
USDA Agricultural Research Service
(2024).
FoodData Central.
USDA National Nutrient Database.
United States Department of Agriculture.
Link
↗
Fishery
NOAA Fisheries
(2024).
FishWatch: U.S. Seafood Facts.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Link
↗
Monterey Bay Aquarium
(2024).
Seafood Watch Recommendations.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation.
Link
↗
Aquaculture
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
(2024).
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Link
↗
Distribution
Kaschner, K., Kesner-Reyes, K., Garilao, C., Segschneider, J., Rius-Barile, J., Rees, T., Froese, R.
(2024).
AquaMaps: Predicted range maps for aquatic species.
AquaMaps.
Link
↗
Ecology
Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C., Wilson, M.V.H.
(2016).
Fishes of the World.
5th edition.
John Wiley & Sons.
Behavior
Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B., Facey, D.E., Bowen, B.W.
(2009).
The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology.
2nd edition.
Wiley-Blackwell.
Morphology
Froese, R.
(2006).
Cube law, condition factor and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations.
Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22(4), 241-253.
DOI ↗
Toxicology
Halstead, B.W., Auerbach, P.S., Campbell, D.
(1988).
A Colour Atlas of Dangerous Marine Animals.
Wolfe Medical Publications.
Wolfe Medical.
Reproduction
Balon, E.K.
(1975).
Reproductive Guilds of Fishes: A Proposal and Definition.
Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 32(6), 821-864.