Nano Gobies

Greenbanded Goby,
Elacatinus multifasciatus
Broadstripe Goby,
Elacatinus prochilos
some adults will eat somewhat larger frozen foods.
Degree of difficulty: Medium.
Hints for maintenance: Very timid fishes that rarely show
themselves; keep in pairs or in small groups in tanks of
6.5 gallons (25 L) or more.
OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP AND RIGHT: I. KRAUSE; LEFT: D. KNOP. THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT: D. KNOP; OTHERS: I. KRAUSE
GENUS ELACATINUS
Above: Tiger Goby, Elacatinus macrodon
Below: Neon Goby, Elacatinus oceanops
The neon gobies of the genus Elacatinus are among the
most interesting of the pygmy gobies. The 35 species currently
described include both cleaner gobies (for example,
the Sharknose Goby, Elacatinus evelynae, and Neon
Goby, E. oceanops) and species that enjoy commensal relationships
with other reef-dwellers, for example sea urchins
(Greenbanded Goby, E. multifasciatus) or sponges
(Linesnout Goby, E. lori). Other species (such as the
Redheaded Neon Goby, E. puncticulatus) live in loose association
with corals.
In the past the majority of Elacatinus species were assigned
to the genus Gobiosoma, from which they were
gradually removed. But it is incorrect to regard Gobiosoma
as simply an obsolete name or a synonym for the entire
genus Elacatinus, although this error is widespread.
Gobiosoma continues to exist as a distinct genus containing
a few species, though they are not particularly relevant
for the aquarium hobby.
Anatomically speaking, Elacatinus gobies are characterized
by a very streamlined body form with small fins
carried tight to the body. The cleaner gobies of the genus,
at least, are generally good swimmers, an ability that is
less marked in the more substrate-oriented species.
Two basic types of coloration can be distinguished: the
cleaner gobies all exhibit an almost uniform longitudinal
stripe pattern extending the length of the body and always
consisting of either blue, yellow, or white bands on
a dark background—the typical garb of a cleaner, in other
words, similar to that seen in wrasses and shrimps. The
non-cleaner species exhibit a somewhat more variable,
sometimes very gaudy color pattern. A striking feature of
this group is a repeating pattern of crossbands. In some
species, for example the Greenbanded Goby, E. multifasciatus,
which sometimes lives on sea urchins, this can be
interpreted as a camouflage pattern that makes the fish
invisible against a background of long spines. But it also
occurs in the Orangesided Goby, E. dilepis, for example,
which is actually associated with corals and sponges.
In the aquarium
Aquarium size: 5.25 gallons (20 L) or more.
Food: Various frozen and dry foods, including larger
types for adults.
CORAL
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