Best of Mike #163

Look very closely and you will see the subject of today's pixture, a Gobe.... peaking up from the hole in this sponge.

There are over 2000 species of Gobes.... making it one of the largest families of fish.

Gobes are among  the smallest vertebrates in the world.... some of them only growing to 3/8" long.

They have a disc-shaped sucker on their pelvis.... that enables them to cling to rocks, coral or even the side of an aquarium.

Gobies sometimes form symbiotic relationships with other species.... such as as burrowing shrimp. 

The shrimp maintains the burrow, in the sand, which both the shrimp and goby live in. While the goby makes up for the shrimp's poor eyesight.

The shrimp uses uses it's antennae to feel the goby.... and the goby will flick the shrimp with it's tail when alarmed.

Together they have a safe home and a place to lay their eggs.