ORA Neon Goby

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Carnivore
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Source: Captive Bred
• Approximate Purchase Size: 0.75-1"
• Approximate Max Size: 2"
• Recommended Tank Size: 10 Gallons or Larger

Overview

This Neon Goby is shipped directly to you with exceptional care and high-grade packaging specifically made for live animals from our partner, ORA. This animal is certified by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, meaning it is sustainably bred, was raised with exceptional husbandry practices, and 2% of net proceeds will be donated to support Ocean Conservation.

The Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is a recognizable and popular cleaner goby species that originates from Florida and the Caribbean Sea. They are small fish, reaching about 2 inches in length.

Neon gobies are easy to keep in aquariums, and are well suited to reef tanks. In the aquarium, they will eat small bits of frozen or pellet foods and are not normally bothered by larger fish because they are recognized as cleaners. They can, however, fall victim to mantis shrimp, pistol shrimp, and other ambush feeders sometimes present in live rock.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The fish you receive may vary slightly in appearance.

Aquarium Requirements

Aquarium Size

More space is always beneficial, but a minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended for a Neon Goby. A larger tank offers more stability in water parameters, which is beneficial for all inhabitants.

Habitat Recommendations

Neon Gobies are relatively adaptable but thrive best in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. Here’s how to set up their ideal home:

• Aquascaping: Incorporate plenty of live rock formations to create hiding spots. This not only provides security, but also promotes beneficial biological filtration.
• Substrate: Use sand or fine gravel as the substrate. These materials are easy to clean and provide a natural look.

Water Parameters

Maintaining proper water parameters is crucial for the health and well-being of your fish. While Neon Gobies are considered hardy, providing a stable environment will allow them to thrive and stay healthy.

• Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75-78°F. Stability is key, so use a reliable heater that can limit any temperature swings to about +/- 1°F or less.
• pH Level: This fish will do well in a wide pH range from about 7.7 to 8.5.
• Salinity: The specific gravity should be between 1.020-1.026 (27-35ppt). Use a refractometer to monitor salinity levels accurately.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite levels should be undetectable, while nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm. Regular water changes and proper filtration will help to achieve this.
• Water Flow: Moderate water movement is ideal. This is most often achieved by using powerheads in the aquarium to move water around. Adequate water flow helps push uneaten food and fish waste into your filtration and also keeps the water oxygenated.

Diet

Neon Gobies are Carnivores, meaning they rely on meaty foods for their nutrition. This fish will usually accept food in a couple different forms, but have smaller mouths, so keep that in mind when deciding on which food to use.

Primary Diet

• Frozen Food: Mysis Shrimp or other marine-specific frozen foods can provide a quality diet, but with less risk of overfeeding vs pellet or flake foods.
• Pellet Food: Small sinking pellets are a great option, especially for the Neon Goby that prefers to feed at the bottom of the aquarium, rather than at the water surface. Pellet foods are typically very nutrient dense, so care should be taken to avoid overfeeding the aquarium, which can contribute to poor water quality.

Feeding Frequency

Feed your Neon Goby at least once a day. For optimal health, try to offer small, frequent meals throughout the day-- 2-3 times is ideal if you can manage it. Your fish will probably always look hungry, so it can be hard to stop yourself from adding more food to the tank.

Compatibility

When it comes to tank mates, the Neon Goby is peaceful and can coexist harmoniously with a variety of other marine species. It may show aggression towards it's own species unless being kept as part of a mated pair.

Common Tank Mates

Here are some ideal tank mates:

• Fish: Clownfish, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Firefish, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and other peaceful fish.
• Invertebrates: Gobies won't bother most invertebrates, so Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, Urchins, and more are all safe to keep. They can fall victim to mantis shrimp, pistol shrimp, and other ambush feeders sometimes present in live rock.
• Coral: The Neon Goby is considered Reef Safe and can be kept with Soft, LPS, or SPS coral.

Behavioral Notes

• Territoriality: The Neon Goby may show aggression towards it's own species unless being kept as part of a mated pair.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation instructions are included in each box, but if you misplaced yours or want to know what to expect ahead of time, you can always find an extra copy here: Fish Acclimation Instructions