Fish of the week#6-Gobiodon spp. Clown Gobies

BrianD · 10/15/2000, 10:34 PM

Gobiodon spp Clown or Coral Gobies

These are great little fish (under 2 inches) with vibrant colors and a peaceful disposition. They are perfect inhabitants for a passive reef tank. They are protected from potential harm from others by a noxious mucous on their skin, which deters predators. Another physical characteristic is pelvic fins shaped something akin to "suction cups" which they use to perch on favorite spots, including rockwork, tank walls, or soft corals, acropora and other corals with a relatively mild sting.

As is true of all marine fish, a varied diet should be offered, and they should be kept in a tank with other non-agressive species. They will eat brine shrimp, mysis, and other frozen foods.

Several gobiodon can be kept in the same tank as long as the tank is of sufficient size for all the gobies to claim a perch. When added as a group they often form pairs and mate. Clown gobies are hermaphrodites, which means that all specimens are born as females, with dominant females turning into males. The male can be identified by longer "breeding" tubes extending from the vents. Breeding is very common in captivity. In the mating process, the female lays her eggs on a favorite rock or coral which are then fertilized and guarded by the male.

Some common species include the citron goby Gobiodon citrinus, the blue-spotted coral goby, Gobiodon histrio, and the yellow clown goby Gobiodon okinawae.

Macimage · 10/15/2000, 11:31 PM

BrianD,

Thanks for the info as they are one of my favorite fish. They are just too cute!!

Joyce

Sloeber · 10/16/2000, 01:15 AM

Gobiodon histrio

Alice · 10/16/2000, 08:51 AM

Thanks, Brian. I just loved my little Citron until the heater stuck on in my little tank

And thanks for the pic, H; I was wondering what they looked like!

~Alice

Technobuyer · 10/16/2000, 11:05 AM

I know many of ya'll have seen the pic of mine, but I thought I'd share it again.

MiNdErAsR · 10/16/2000, 03:25 PM

One more pic here...

JohnL · 10/16/2000, 11:15 PM

I've had this little guy in my q-tank for the last month.

Sloeber · 10/16/2000, 11:39 PM

yep.

henry

10/16/2000, 08:51 AM	#4
Alice Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Federal Way, WA USA Posts: 176	Thanks, Brian. I just loved my little Citron until the heater stuck on in my little tank And thanks for the pic, H; I was wondering what they looked like! ~Alice __________________ Only dead fish go with the flow.

10/16/2000, 11:15 PM	#7
JohnL RC Staff Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 14,431	Is this G. histrio also? I've had this little guy in my q-tank for the last month. __________________ Peace - John Current Tank Info: 140 gal post El Nino Acropora dominated reef

10/15/2000, 10:34 PM	#1
BrianD Sir Brian The Lenient Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Mattoon, IL Posts: 32,111	*Gobiodon spp* Clown or Coral Gobies These are great little fish (under 2 inches) with vibrant colors and a peaceful disposition. They are perfect inhabitants for a passive reef tank. They are protected from potential harm from others by a noxious mucous on their skin, which deters predators. Another physical characteristic is pelvic fins shaped something akin to "suction cups" which they use to perch on favorite spots, including rockwork, tank walls, or soft corals, acropora and other corals with a relatively mild sting. As is true of all marine fish, a varied diet should be offered, and they should be kept in a tank with other non-agressive species. They will eat brine shrimp, mysis, and other frozen foods. Several gobiodon can be kept in the same tank as long as the tank is of sufficient size for all the gobies to claim a perch. When added as a group they often form pairs and mate. Clown gobies are hermaphrodites, which means that all specimens are born as females, with dominant females turning into males. The male can be identified by longer "breeding" tubes extending from the vents. Breeding is very common in captivity. In the mating process, the female lays her eggs on a favorite rock or coral which are then fertilized and guarded by the male. Some common species include the citron goby Gobiodon citrinus, the blue-spotted coral goby, Gobiodon histrio, and the yellow clown goby Gobiodon okinawae.

10/15/2000, 11:31 PM	#2
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	BrianD, Thanks for the info as they are one of my favorite fish. They are just too cute!! Joyce

10/16/2000, 01:15 AM	#3
Sloeber Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Mamanuca and Yusawa island groups, Fiji Posts: 7,621	Gobiodon histrio

10/16/2000, 11:05 AM	#5
Technobuyer Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,854	I know many of ya'll have seen the pic of mine, but I thought I'd share it again.

10/16/2000, 03:25 PM	#6
MiNdErAsR Dark Lord of Sriracha! Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The People's Republik of New York Posts: 5,346	One more pic here... __________________ Jim Cancer is Les' enemy, cancer is my enemy, the enemy of something, something, friend, something, something... Therefore Les is my friend - El Barto Current Tank Info: Gone With The Wind

10/16/2000, 11:39 PM	#8
Sloeber Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Mamanuca and Yusawa island groups, Fiji Posts: 7,621	yep. henry