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It’s been a hot minute since we saw some new species of reef fish being described and so this next new species from Papua New Guinea is here to make sure we don’t go without. Lubricogobius nanus is a small species of slippery goby, a genus which is already known for having very tiny members.
Being right in the Coral Triangle, Papua New Guinea is a treasure trove of reef fish diversity and many species which are being discovered all the time. The new Lubricogobius nanus brings the total number of species of Lubricogobius to five, with the genus being sometimes called “slippery gobies” for their absence of scales from the body and skin.
Despite their really small size of much less than an inch, the white-backed Lubricogobius dinah is a very popular target of underwater fish photographers. This species is often spotted living and breeding among refuse, usually bottles, cans, coconut and bivalve shells.
Lubricogobius nanus seen here above and below is the much beloved Lubricogobius dinah, both can be found in Papua New Guinea. Photo Gerald Allen
All of the known species of Lubricogobius sport a common motif of a yellow colored body and fins, with slight adornations here and there, and they are widespread in the Western Pacific Ocean. The five species of slipper gobies can be found from Australia to Japan, and the newly described Lubricogobius nanus takes its rightful place in the southern half of Papua New Guinea.
The type specimens for Lubricogobius nanus were collected in Milne Bay, PNG, on a mud slope with all samples coming from a relatively small 100 meter sampling area. As you might have guessed, this new species of slippery goby is named L. nanus because it is the smallest known member of the genus with the largest adult specimens barely cracking 1 cm in length. [JOSF]
Lubricogobius ornatus from New Caledonia above and L. exiguus from North Sulawesi below. Photo Gerald Allen
Lubricogobius tre in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua Province, Indonesia. Photo Gerald Allen
The paratype for the species description of Lubricogobius nanus. Gerald Allen
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Being right in the Coral Triangle, Papua New Guinea is a treasure trove of reef fish diversity and many species which are being discovered all the time. The new Lubricogobius nanus brings the total number of species of Lubricogobius to five, with the genus being sometimes called “slippery gobies” for their absence of scales from the body and skin.
Despite their really small size of much less than an inch, the white-backed Lubricogobius dinah is a very popular target of underwater fish photographers. This species is often spotted living and breeding among refuse, usually bottles, cans, coconut and bivalve shells.
All of the known species of Lubricogobius sport a common motif of a yellow colored body and fins, with slight adornations here and there, and they are widespread in the Western Pacific Ocean. The five species of slipper gobies can be found from Australia to Japan, and the newly described Lubricogobius nanus takes its rightful place in the southern half of Papua New Guinea.
The type specimens for Lubricogobius nanus were collected in Milne Bay, PNG, on a mud slope with all samples coming from a relatively small 100 meter sampling area. As you might have guessed, this new species of slippery goby is named L. nanus because it is the smallest known member of the genus with the largest adult specimens barely cracking 1 cm in length. [JOSF]
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- Trimma irinae is a gorgeous new deepwater nano goby from Papua New Guinea
- Stunning purple-back nano goby, Eviota dorsopurpurea just described from Papua New Guinea
- Papua New Guinean endemics on display by Paradise Aquariums at Aquarama 2015
- Cirrhilabrus marinda, a cryptic new species of fairy wrasse similar to C. condei
- Rolling in the Deep in this awesome video from Papua New Guinea
- Another PNG program looks to establish sustainable fisheries
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