Citrinus Clown Goby

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2.5"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Gobiidae   • Species: Gobies   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Citrinus Clown Goby a is a cute and tiny species that can be found hiding and lounging among Acropora coral colonies throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. Citrinus Clown Gobies are an extremely popular choice for "nano" aquariums as well as peaceful reef tanks and they pack a lot of personality into a very small package. The Citrinus Clown Goby is sometimes referred to as the Poison Goby due to its ability to secrete a toxic mucus, forming a layer on its skin; heterospecific predators usually know not to mess with them and will generally leave them alone.

The Citrinus Clown Goby is a peaceful fish, but can sometimes become territorial with conspecifics and multiple specimens should have adequate territory and be introduced to the aquarium at the same time. The Citrinus Clown Goby will get along well with other peaceful tank mates, but should be watched if housed with aggressive feeders.

Citrinus Clown Gobies are easy to care for (once established) and are a wonderful species for beginners as well as more experienced hobbyists alike; due to their growing popularity they are readily available throughout the hobby and are offered at very reasonable prices.

The Citrinus Clown Goby must be housed in an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and should be provided with a sand substrate and plenty of live rock for grazing, hiding, and perching. They really appreciate the presence of established Acropora colonies as they will commonly feed from them and use their dense branches for shelter. Due to their tiny size, Citrinus Clown Gobies have a very minimal impact on the biological load of their aquarium and don't require any special filtration needs other than a quality biological and mechanical system.

As a peaceful species that predators recognize as "off limits", they can coexist well with many other inhabitants, but conspecifics should be added to an aquarium at the same as they can sometimes become territorial with their own. They are a reef safe species, but have been known to nip at Acropora corals and should only be housed with well established colonies that will be relatively unaffected by their small presence (even though they share a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship).

Citrinus Clown Gobies are carnivores that mainly eat amphipods, copepods as well as other zooplankton and benthic invertebrates among the reefs of their natural habitat. A supply of live amphipods or copepods would be appreciated in addition to a variety of live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, cyclops, bloodworms, and chopped seafood. They may also accept quality pellet (soft) and flake foods for carnivores and omnivores. Citrinus Clown Gobies should be fed once or twice a day, only what will be consumed in a few minutes.