Green Clown Goby Care Guide
Gobiodon histrio is a tiny green coral goby of the Indo-West Pacific that perches on Acropora and releases a toxin to deter predators.
Overview
Gobiodon histrio, the Green Clown Goby, is a very small marine coral goby of the Indo-West Pacific. FishBase describes a mainly green body with red to violet stripes or broken lines, four to five reddish bars on the head, and no scales. It is a coral-commensal species that lives among the branches of Acropora corals and is capable of facultative air-breathing. It was described by Valenciennes in 1837.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Gobiodon
- Scientific name: Gobiodon histrio
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Red Sea to Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. It lives among Acropora branches on reef crests and in lagoons, usually at depths of 2 to 15 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 3.5 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
Lives solitary or in pairs and is otherwise peaceful. It suits calm companions such as clownfish, cardinalfish and wrasses; lionfish and other predators should be avoided. Wikipedia notes that when disturbed it releases compounds that impair the locomotion of other fish, deterring predators.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe with the caveat that it perches on branching Acropora and may occasionally nip at small-polyp stony coral polyps. Wikipedia reports a mutualistic relationship in which it consumes toxic Chlorodesmis algae that damages its host Acropora nasuta.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 15 August 2023).