Neon Blue Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)

The Neon Blue Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is a tiny, hardy reef fish with an electric-blue stripe running the length of its jet-black body. Beyond its good looks, it is a natural cleaner fish that sets up cleaning stations and picks parasites and dead tissue off its tankmates. Peaceful, reef safe, and easy to keep, it is a fantastic nano and community reef fish. Pair it with the rest of our saltwater livestock selection.

Care Guide

• Aquarium: 10 gallons or larger with live rock and small caves. Neon gobies are tiny and perch on rockwork, claiming a favorite spot as their cleaning station.
• Water quality: Keep parameters stable. Target 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and dKH 8 to 12. Captive-bred neon gobies adapt readily to aquarium life.
• Diet: Carnivore. In a reef it picks parasites off other fish, and it readily takes mysis, brine shrimp, and marine flake. Feed small amounts 1 to 2 times a day.
• Temperament: Peaceful and reef safe. It mixes well with almost any non-aggressive fish, and larger tankmates recognize it as a helpful cleaner rather than a meal.
• Behavior: Often kept singly or as a bonded pair. In a mature tank a pair may even spawn on the rockwork.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

As a peaceful cleaner fish, the Neon Blue Goby is one of the easiest reef fish to find tankmates for. It gets along with calm community fish and is even welcomed by larger fish it cleans. Good companions we carry include:

• Wyoming White Clownfish
• Banggai Cardinal
• Purple Firefish Goby
• Midas Blenny
• Neon Wrasse

Avoid large predators and aggressive fish that might mistake this little goby for a snack.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp for protein and color
• Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake for daily staple feeding
• Browse all marine fish nutrition

FAQ

Is the Neon Blue Goby reef safe?
Yes, completely. It will not bother corals or invertebrates, and it actually benefits the tank by cleaning parasites off other fish.

Does it really clean other fish?
Yes. Neon gobies are true cleaner fish that set up cleaning stations and pick parasites and dead skin off their tankmates, much like cleaner wrasses do.

Is it good for beginners and nano tanks?
Yes. Captive-bred neon gobies are hardy, stay small, and thrive in tanks as little as 10 gallons, making them a great first saltwater fish.

What does it eat?
A carnivore diet of mysis, brine shrimp, and marine flake, plus the parasites it grooms from tankmates. Feed small amounts 1 to 2 times a day.