Neon Goby Care Guide
Elacatinus oceanops is a small Western Atlantic cleaner goby with a bright blue stripe that removes parasites from larger fish.
Overview
Elacatinus oceanops, the Neon Goby, is a small marine goby of the Western Atlantic. FishBase describes a conspicuous dark blue horizontal band on an almost light body, with a pale stripe in front of each eye. It is a well-known cleaner fish and was described by D. S. Jordan in 1904.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Elacatinus
- Scientific name: Elacatinus oceanops
Habitat
FishBase records the species in the Western Central Atlantic from southern Florida to Texas southward to Belize. Adults inhabit coral heads at depths of usually 1 to 40 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 50 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Maximum size: about 5 cm
- Lifespan: 3-6 years
Diet
In the wild it removes ectoparasites from the skin, fins, mouth and gill chambers of larger fish such as groupers. In the aquarium it accepts small meaty foods such as enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped mysis, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, monogamous species. It suits calm companions such as clownfish, cardinalfish and wrasses; lionfish and other predators should be avoided. Captive-bred specimens are hardy and adapt readily to aquarium life.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. It does not harm corals or sessile invertebrates and may pick parasites from tankmates, making it a useful reef resident.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 1 March 2010).