Green Banded Goby (Elacatinus multifasciatus)

The Green Banded Goby (Elacatinus multifasciatus) is a jewel-like nano fish, barely an inch long and ringed head to tail with alternating emerald-green and dark bands. Peaceful, reef safe, and endlessly entertaining as it perches and darts among the rockwork, it is one of the best fish you can add to a small, mature reef. Its tiny size and mellow nature make it a perfect pico and nano centerpiece. Care level: beginner to intermediate. Temperament: peaceful.

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Care Guide

This goby thrives in a stable, established reef with plenty of live rock to hunt and hide in. It spends its day picking tiny crustaceans from the rocks and will readily learn to accept prepared foods. Because it is so small, it does best in a mature tank with an established population of copepods and other micro-fauna to graze between feedings. It is completely reef safe and will not bother corals or clams.

• Mature reef preferred: a stable, established nano or pico reef with abundant live rock.
• Secure the lid: like most small gobies it can slip through gaps, so cover openings.
• Feed small and often: tiny, frequent feedings of finely-chopped meaty foods suit its small mouth.
• Diet: carnivore and micro-predator; feed frozen mysis, brine, copepods, and small prepared foods.

Specifications

Compatibility

Fully reef safe and one of the most peaceful fish available, ideal for nano and pico reefs. Keep it with other small, gentle tank mates and avoid larger or aggressive fish that could see it as a snack. It generally ignores its own kind in a large enough system, and a bonded pair can be kept together in a mature tank. Pair it with peaceful saltwater tank mates and reef-safe inverts.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Nutramar Tigrio Live Copepods to seed and sustain live prey
• Dinkins Copepods Reef Snacklebox for a fresh pod boost
• SFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp for regular feedings
• Aquaforest AF Liquid Mysis for small, targeted meaty feedings
• Browse all saltwater supplies for nano-reef care

FAQ

How big does it get? Only about 1 to 2 inches, making it one of the smallest reef fish in the hobby and perfect for nano tanks.

Is it reef safe? Yes, completely. It will not bother corals, clams, or beneficial inverts.

What should I feed it? Small, frequent meaty foods such as frozen mysis, brine, and copepods. A tank with a healthy pod population helps it graze between feedings.

Can I keep more than one? A bonded pair can share a mature tank. In smaller systems, keep just one to avoid squabbling over territory.