Gobies

Yellow coral goby (Gobiodon okinawae)

The Yellow coral goby (Gobiodon okinawae) belongs to the family Gobiidae (gobies) and is found in the Red Sea, with a wider Indo-Pacific range. It is a carnivore and usually seen in groups or alone. It reaches about 3 cm and is found at 1–50 m depth. IUCN conservation status: Least Concern. It is not dangerous to divers.

Yellow coral goby (Gobiodon okinawae), a Red Sea fish of the gobies family
Photo: iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons

Quick facts

Scientific nameGobiodon okinawae
FamilyGobies (Gobiidae)
Common name (IT)Ghiozzo giallo
Common name (EN)Yellow coral goby
Maximum size3 cm
Depth1–50 m
DistributionRed Sea and Indo-Pacific
IUCN statusLC — Least Concern

Description

Present throughout the Red Sea, with a broader range across the tropical Indo-Pacific.

Where it lives

Present throughout the Red Sea, with a broader range across the tropical Indo-Pacific.

  • Red Sea
  • Indo-Pacific

Frequently asked questions

What family does the Yellow coral goby belong to?
The Yellow coral goby (Gobiodon okinawae) belongs to the family Gobiidae (gobies).
Is the Yellow coral goby dangerous?
It is not dangerous to divers. As with any reef animal, do not touch or handle it.
Is the Yellow coral goby endemic to the Red Sea?
No — it occurs in the Red Sea but its range extends across the Indo-Pacific.
How big does the Yellow coral goby get?
It reaches a maximum length of about 3 cm.

Explore the Yellow coral goby in 3D in the interactive atlas →