Fish Coral Inverts

Red Head Goby

Elacatinus puncticulatus

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Suggested Tank

15+ gallons

Max Size

2 inches

Difficulty

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Description

A tiny, boldly marked cleaner goby with a translucent cream-to-gray body crossed by dark spots and bars, offset by a brilliant red-orange head laced with gold and blue lines. It is entirely peaceful and reef safe, perching openly on rockwork and occasionally picking parasites off larger tankmates as a facultative cleaner. Give it an established nano or small reef with plenty of rock caves and crevices, gentle to moderate flow, and a tight lid, and feed small meaty foods several times a day; single specimens or mated pairs do best in tanks under about 40 gallons.

Reef Safe

Yes

Environment

This species prefers a tank with plenty of hiding spots and a sandy substrate where it can burrow. It also appreciates a good amount of live rock where algae, its natural food, can grow. The tank should be kept at a temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Behavior

The Red Head Goby is a peaceful fish that tends to stick to the bottom of the tank. It is known for its cleaning behavior, as it often picks parasites off of other fish. This goby is also quite active and curious, often seen exploring its surroundings when it is not cleaning.

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