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 nanusis 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 newLubricogobius nanusbrings the total number of species ofLubricogobiusto 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-backedLubricogobius dinahis 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 ofLubricogobius运动一个黄色的常见主题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 describedLubricogobius nanustakes its rightful place in the southern half of Papua New Guinea.
The type specimens forLubricogobius nanuswere 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 namedL. nanusbecause it is the smallest known member of the genus with the largest adult specimens barely cracking 1 cm in length. [JOSF]