Bryaninops loki (Loki whip goby)

Identification

Bryaninops loki is a small, elongated whip goby. It has a red to brown lower body, but color can vary depending on its host gorgonian. It is very similar to B. amplus, but a little smaller and a darker spot on the tail base. There is also a variation with a red to brown lower body and white bars. It is assumed the white bars are associated with guarding eggs or mating behavior.

Status

This species is unassessed by the IUCN Red list, but considered a common species of whip goby. Probably often misidentified.

Habitat
From the Western Pacific to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa, and the Hawaiian Islands. Reported from the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, but assumed to live in other locations as well. Reports from the Red Sea, Egypt and Sudan as well. Known to live only on sea whips and gorgonian corals. Occurs usually with Junceela fragilis corals, Ellisella and Subergorgia species,  in a depth range of 6-45 meters.

Reproduction

Oviparous breeding.

Size

Up to 3 cm.

Prey / Predation

Bryaninops loki feeds on zooplankton

Special features

The Loki whip goby is very similar to the common B. amplus, but can be distinguished by the dark(er) spot on the tail base. You can also browse our other species of Pleurosicya en Bryaninops gobies here, to compare habitats and physical features.