Okinawa Churashima Foundation has successfully identified several species of goby using DNA analysis. Gobies are an extremely diverse family of fish made up of over 2000 species. It is extremely difficult to determine the species of a goby larva only by their appearance, and this has restricted research.

In this study, genetic (DNA) analysis was conducted on specimens of goby larvae. We succeeded in identifying 13 species, including 8 species whose larval morphology had not yet been clarified. Furthermore, we showed an easier method to genetically analyze formalin-fixed specimens under certain conditions. This method will contribute further to a better understanding of the ecology of gobies and their larvae.