Yellowlined Coral Goby Care Guide
Gobiodon axillaris is a tiny Indo-West Pacific coral goby that perches among Acropora corals; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.
Overview
Gobiodon axillaris, the Yellowlined Coral Goby, is a very small marine coral goby of the Indo-West Pacific. FishBase classifies it as a coral-commensal species and, like other members of the genus, it is capable of facultative air-breathing.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Gobiodon
- Scientific name: Gobiodon axillaris
Habitat
FishBase records the species across the Indo-West Pacific in tropical reef-associated waters, where it lives among branching corals at depths down to about 20 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 3.1 cm
- Lifespan: 3-6 years
Diet
A carnivore. In the aquarium it accepts small meaty foods such as cyclops, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped mysis, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful coral-dwelling goby. It suits calm companions such as clownfish, cardinalfish and wrasses; lionfish and other predators should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe with the caveat that it perches on branching Acropora and may occasionally nip at small-polyp stony coral polyps. It is otherwise harmless to the reef and depends on branching corals for shelter.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (assessed 26 June 2018), under criterion A4c, reflecting projected loss of its coral habitat.