Breeding Elacatinus evelynae (Sharknose Goby)
Elacatinus evelynae, the sharknose goby, is a Caribbean cleaner goby that forms monogamous pairs near coral heads. It spawns demersally in a crevice with paternal egg care, mirroring the well-known neon goby.
Overview
Elacatinus evelynae (Bohlke & Robins, 1968), the sharknose goby, is a Western Atlantic cleaner goby from the Bahamas and Lesser Antilles to northern South America. FishBase reports a maximum size of 4.0 cm TL across a depth range of 1-53 m, with the fish living in pairs near coral heads on clear-water reefs. Like the neon goby, it is a cleaner and forms breeding pairs suited to small reef systems.
Sexing
FishBase records the species' mating as monogamous, both obligate and social, and notes the fish occur in pairs near coral heads. The sexes are not easily separated by external appearance, so pairs are obtained by allowing a small group to settle into bonded pairs, as is standard for Elacatinus cleaner gobies.
Conditioning
Adults feed on the ectoparasites of other fishes, sitting at an estimated trophic level of about 3.4. In the aquarium a pair is conditioned on frequent small meaty foods. A stable reef with cleaning-station structure (live rock and coral heads) supports the pair bond that precedes spawning.
Breeding Setup
A small, stable reef or species tank suits a pair, with knowledge-base parameters of temperature 24-26 degrees C, pH 8.1-8.4 and moderate flow. A spawning recess such as a small cave, shell or pipe section provides the enclosed surface needed for the demersal clutch.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Following the Elacatinus pattern, the pair attaches adhesive demersal eggs inside the chosen crevice. A settled, well-fed pair in stable conditions spawns repeatedly; no distinct external trigger beyond good condition and a secure site is documented for this species.
Egg & Fry Care
Consistent with closely related cleaner gobies, the male guards the demersal eggs at the nest until hatching, and the larvae are planktonic afterward. Larvae of Elacatinus cleaner gobies are reared on rotifers progressing to Artemia nauplii before settlement; species-specific rearing data for E. evelynae is more limited than for the neon goby.
Common Challenges
- Securing a compatible bonded pair from a small group.
- Offering first foods sized for small larvae before they accept Artemia.
- Keeping larval-rearing water quality stable through the planktonic phase.