Fact Friday

Goby and coral

Sometimes being the smallest has its advantages. That is true for the genus of gobies called Bryaninops. These tiny fish have a commensal relationship with corals and other immobile animals. That means that the gobies do not harm the coral, but they benefit from the relationship. For example, many of the Bryaninops gobies are able to match the color of the coral to blend in with their environment. This camouflage helps the gobies to use their host as a place to hide from predators.

Photo Credit: ©ILCP/Jugen Freund

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