Neon Goby
Elacatinus oceanops
A striking and highly beneficial nano marine fish, the Neon Goby is renowned for its vibrant blue stripes and natural cleaning behaviour.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 23 – 27 °C
- pH range
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Hardness
- 8 – 12 dGH
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.025 SG
- Adult size
- 4 – 5 cm
- Nano reef or larger
- 40 litres+
- Lifespan
- 1 – 2 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- moderate
- Preferred setup
- Reef or FOWLR with abundant live rock for perching and establishing cleaning stations.
About the Neon Goby
Native to the coral reefs of the Western Atlantic, Elacatinus oceanops is a tiny but charismatic addition to the marine aquarium. Often seen perched confidently on live rock, they establish 'cleaning stations' where they meticulously pick parasites and dead tissue from much larger fish. Their bold electric blue horizontal stripes make them instantly recognisable and a perennial favourite among reef keepers.
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Where Neon Goby comes from
Native range
Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea
Countries / regions
United States, Mexico, Belize, Honduras
Habitat
Coral reefs and rocky outcrops, typically at depths of 1 to 45 metres, occupying prominent positions to advertise cleaning services.
Widely distributed throughout the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the western Caribbean.
Similar species
Sharknose Goby
Elacatinus evelynae
Broadstripe Goby
Elacatinus prochilos
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful cohabitants that often appreciate the cleaning services provided by the goby.
- Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Large, active herbivores that frequently visit cleaning stations; they pose no threat to the goby.
- Great
Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica
Similarly peaceful and small-bodied; they will peacefully ignore the goby.
- Compatible with caution
Flame Hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
Aggressive, predatory bottom-dwellers that might occasionally ignore the goby's cleaner immunity and attempt to eat it.
- Not recommended
Volitan Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Highly predatory; the confined space of an aquarium often overrides natural cleaner recognition, resulting in the goby being eaten.
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