{"product_id":"bluestripe-neon-goby-elacatinus-oceanops-saltwater","title":"Bluestripe Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBluestripe Neon Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eElacatinus oceanops\u003c\/em\u003e) is two inches of electric blue that also happens to run a business. A single glowing stripe traces from the snout, straight through the eye, all the way to the tail on a dark body, and the fish sets up a cleaning station on your rockwork where bigger fish queue up to have parasites and dead skin picked off. Tangs will hold still and flare their gills for it. It is Caribbean, captive bred, completely reef safe, and small enough for a nano tank while still being one of the most useful fish you can add to a big one. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eThe better cleaner\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want cleaning behavior in your tank, this is the fish to buy. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cleaner-wrasse-labroides-dimidiatus-saltwater\"\u003eCleaner Wrasse\u003c\/a\u003e is the famous one, but it is an obligate cleaner that often refuses prepared food and slowly starves in home aquariums, which is why we list it as an advanced fish. A Neon Goby does the same job, eats mysis and pellets happily alongside it, breeds in captivity, and costs a fraction of the trouble. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e is the invert version and the two work well together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons and up. They stay around 2 inches, claim a small perch, and are one of the few genuinely nano appropriate marine fish that also earn their place in a 200 gallon reef.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRockwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e give it a prominent perch. Neon Gobies pick a high visibility spot for their cleaning station and sit on it, so a piece of rock or coral out in the open is better than a cave.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Hardy and undemanding, and captive bred stock is tougher still.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. Do not rely on cleaning duty to feed it. Small frozen foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-instant-baby-brine-shrimp\"\u003ebaby brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and a small pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e should be offered two or three times a day given how small the fish is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroups:\u003c\/strong\u003e unlike most gobies, they get along with each other. A pair or a small group in the same tank is fine, and a settled pair will often lay eggs in a shell or piece of pipe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e short. Two years is a good run for this species, which is normal for a fish this small and not a reflection of your husbandry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e recommended. Small gobies find small gaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eElacatinus oceanops\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBluestripe Neon Goby, Neon Goby, Neon Blue Goby, Cleaner Goby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGobiidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, and tolerant of its own kind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, fully\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, plus parasites picked from tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 to 2 years, normal for the species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Atlantic and Caribbean reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout as universally compatible as a marine fish gets. Larger fish that would normally eat something this small generally recognize a cleaner and leave it alone, which is the whole point of the bright stripe. It works well with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/premium-picasso-clownfish-amphiprion-percula-saltwater\"\u003ePremium Picasso Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinal-pterapogon-kaudernii-saltwater-reef\"\u003eBanggai Cardinal\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003eFirefish Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/citron-clown-goby-gobiodon-citrinus-saltwater\"\u003eCitron Clown Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bicolor-blenny-ecsenius-bicolor-saltwater\"\u003eBicolor Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellowhead-jawfish-opistognathus-aurifrons-saltwater\"\u003eYellowhead Jawfish\u003c\/a\u003e. Corals and inverts are completely safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIts best customers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Big grazers with plenty of surface area get the most out of a cleaning station. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-tang-zebrasoma-xanthurum-saltwater\"\u003ePurple Tang\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/starry-rabbitfish-siganus-stellatus-saltwater\"\u003eStarry Rabbitfish\u003c\/a\u003e will park itself in front of the goby and wait, which is one of the better things you will see in a reef tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Genuinely predatory fish that hunt by size rather than recognizing cleaners, such as large groupers, lionfish, and hawkfish, are the exception to the rule. If you already have a bigger goby-shaped fish that guards a perch, watch the first few days, though squabbles are rare. Another \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-banded-goby-elacatinus-multifasciatus-saltwater\"\u003eGreen Banded Goby\u003c\/a\u003e from the same genus is fine company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-instant-baby-brine-shrimp\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Mysis Shrimp Cube\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e small pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-marine-peewee-1-5mm-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Marine PeeWee Slow-Sinking Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it actually clean my fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Neon Gobies are true cleaners and set up stations that other fish visit deliberately. It is real behavior, not a marketing claim, and it is genuinely useful for keeping an eye on parasite pressure. It is not a cure for an ich outbreak though, so do not buy one as medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep more than one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, which makes them unusual among gobies. A pair or a small group coexists peacefully, and a bonded pair will often spawn in a shell or a short length of pipe. Adding two or three at once is the easiest way to get a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do they only live a couple of years?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is simply the species. Small, fast living reef fish have short lifespans, and one to two years is a full life for a Neon Goby. It is worth knowing going in rather than assuming something went wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe in a nano tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery. At around 2 inches with a tiny bioload and no interest in corals, it is one of the best fish available for a 10 or 20 gallon reef. Just make sure it gets fed directly rather than left to scavenge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49012605223131,"sku":"FGOBL820AT-0","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/neon-b-fab31812-4486-45b9-8891-f4868867fc73.png?v=1784880827","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bluestripe-neon-goby-elacatinus-oceanops-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}