Elacatinus
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Elacatinus oceanops, Neon Goby. Scott W. Michael
Family: Gobiidae
Species in Genus Elacatinus:
- Formerly Gobiosoma
CLEANER GOBIES
This genus contains smaller species perfect for nano-reef systems. Some clean other fishes; others lead secretive lives in sponge lumens. These gobies are not totally dependent on their cleaning behaviors, readily accepting other foods in captivity.
They are great for the reef tank, although they may nip at tridacnid clam mantles on rare occasion. They can be housed with larger predators, although if the predators are not fed often enough, they may eat the gobies. Always add them to the tank before the predatory species.
Although rarely aggressive toward other fishes, cleaner gobies may fight with conspecifics or congeners (especially if space is limited). If a male and female pair up, they often become more aggressive toward conspecifics. It is not uncommon for them to spawn in the aquarium. In most cases, the eggs are laid in a crevice or empty shell, and both parents defend the eggs.
Feed them a varied diet that includes Cyclop-eeze, frozen mysid shrimp, finely shaved table shrimp, and frozen food for carnivores. In a reef tank, they can be fed once a day, more often in new or sparsely aquascaped aquariums.
| Family | Gobiidae + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Text credit | SWM + |