Zebra Bar Goby (Ptereleotris zebra)

The Zebra Bar Goby (Ptereleotris zebra), also called the Zebra Dartfish or Chinese Zebra Goby, is a peaceful, schooling reef fish prized for its slim torpedo shape and pastel green body with vivid pink-orange vertical bars across the head. It hovers gracefully in midwater above the rockwork and adds constant motion without ever bothering corals or other tank mates — a beginner-friendly addition to almost any peaceful reef. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock for more compatible species.

Care Guide

Zebra Bar Gobies are easy keepers in a stable, well-established reef. They thrive when housed in small groups of 3 or more, where they spend most of the day hovering side-by-side just above the live rock. Provide plenty of horizontal swimming space and at least one rock cave or PVC tunnel — they retreat into crevices when startled. Like most dartfish, they are champion jumpers, so a tight-fitting mesh lid or canopy is non-negotiable.

• Diet: Carnivorous. Feed small meaty foods 2–3 times daily — frozen mysis shrimp, brine, finely chopped seafood, and small marine pellets like Reef Nutrition TDO-EP1 Chroma BOOST. Live copepods are eagerly accepted and great for conditioning.
• Tank size: 30 gallons minimum for a single fish; 50+ gallons recommended for a small group.
• Aquascape: Open swimming space above the rockwork plus caves/crevices for shelter; sandy bottom preferred.
• Lid required: Yes — dartfish are notorious jumpers. A mesh lid or canopy is mandatory.
• Acclimation: Drip acclimate over 60–90 minutes before adding to your display.

Specifications

Compatibility

Zebra Bar Gobies are 100% reef safe and won't harass corals, inverts, or even shrimp. They do well with most peaceful community reef fish but should not be kept with aggressive or much larger predatory species that may view them as food.

• Good tank mates: Clownfish, small wrasses (such as the Six Line Wrasse), gobies, blennies, anthias, cardinalfish, and most peaceful reef fish.
• Keep in groups: Best displayed in groups of 3+ — their natural schooling behavior is the highlight of this species.
• Avoid: Aggressive triggers, large lionfish, predatory groupers, and any tank mate large enough to swallow them whole.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Bulldawg Live Copepod Mix — live marine pods, ideal natural food
• Reef Nutrition TDO-EP1 Chroma BOOST Pellets — small-mouth color-enhancing pellets
• Piscine Energetics PE Saltwater Pellets 2mm — sized for small reef fish
• SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp — meaty supplemental feed
• Browse all marine nutrition
• Browse all saltwater livestock

FAQ

Are Zebra Bar Gobies reef safe?
Yes — fully reef safe. They won't pick at corals, ornamental shrimp, snails, or other inverts.

Should I buy more than one?
Strongly recommended. They naturally school in pairs and small groups; a solo specimen often feels insecure and stays hidden, while a group of 3+ in a 50+ gallon tank is constantly active in open water.

Do they really jump?
Yes. Like all dartfish, they will rocket out of an open-top tank when startled. A mesh lid or full canopy is mandatory.

Will they bother corals or invertebrates?
No. Zebra Bar Gobies are peaceful midwater feeders and ignore the rockwork community completely.