How To Care For Cleaner Gobies
Cleaner Gobies are small, peaceful fish best known for their remarkable ability to remove parasites from larger fish in the wild. Native to the tropical reefs of the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, these gobies can often be found perched on rocks or corals, waiting for fish to approach for cleaning services. Their slender bodies, striking coloration, and beneficial behavior make them an excellent addition to reef aquariums.
Unlike other goby species that burrow in the sand, Cleaner Gobies prefer to establish cleaning stations on rocks or coral heads. They are highly social and can be kept in small groups if housed in a spacious aquarium. Their calm demeanor and unique role in aquarium ecosystems make them a fascinating and practical choice for reef keepers.
General Habitat & Tank Requirements:
- Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons for a single goby, but larger aquariums are preferred if keeping multiple.
- Aquascape: Provide ample live rock for perching and hiding, as they naturally establish cleaning stations.
- Substrate: A sandy substrate is ideal to mimic their natural habitat, but not mandatory, as they don’t burrow.
Water Conditions:
- Temperature: 75°F to 80°F (23°C to 27°C).
- pH: 7.7 to 8.5.
- Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020 to 1.026.
- Water Quality: Maintain ammonia and nitrite levels at 0 ppm, and nitrates below 20 ppm.
- Filtration: Employ high-quality filtration, such as a protein skimmer, to ensure optimal water quality.
Diet and Feeding
Cleaner Gobies are carnivorous and thrive on a varied diet of meaty foods. While they may pick at parasites in a tank, they require regular feedings to stay healthy. Offer a mix of:
- Frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and copepods.
- High-quality prepared foods such as pellets or flakes designed for small carnivorous fish.
- Frequent, small feedings to accommodate their fast metabolisms.
Behavior and Compatibility
Cleaner Gobies are peaceful, making them excellent tank mates for a variety of marine species. Their natural cleaning behavior often encourages interactions with larger fish, but they should not be relied upon solely for parasite control in a home aquarium.
Some Compatible Tank Mates
- Fish: Clownfish, Tangs, Angelfish, Wrasses, Blennies, and other peaceful community fish.
- Invertebrates: Generally safe with Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, Urchins, and other common invertebrates.
- Coral: Reef-safe. They may perch on coral, but won't harm it.
Behavioral Notes
- Cleaning Behavior: While they may pick at parasites, they should be fed a proper diet to prevent starvation.
- Territoriality: Some species may show aggression towards it's own kind unless being kept as part of a mated pair.
- Perching & Resting: Often seen resting on rocks or corals, waiting for fish to visit their "cleaning stations."
Health and Maintenance
Perform regular water changes of 10-25% every two to four weeks to maintain water quality. Regularly test water parameters and observe for signs of stress or illness, such as loss of color, appetite changes, or erratic swimming.
Common Health Issues
Gobies can be susceptible to common health issues in an aquarium environment such as:
- Marine Ich: Identified by white spots on the body and rapid breathing.
- Marine Velvet: Similar appearance to Ich but more severe, causing a dusty, velvet-like appearance on the skin.
- Bacterial Infections: Open wounds from aggression or handling can become infected, leading to redness, swelling, or ulcerations.
Maintaining excellent water quality, providing the right nutrition, and giving the fish a stress-free environment can prevent most health issues.
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