Neon Goby

The Neon Goby, *Elacatinus oceanops*, is a vibrant and popular addition to the marine aquarium, instantly recognizable by its brilliant blue stripe that runs from nose to tail against a yellow body. This small, active fish is a fantastic choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists due to its hardy nature and peaceful temperament.

A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is suitable for the Neon Goby, providing ample space for it to explore and establish a territory. They are native to the Western Atlantic and are often found in the wild cleaning parasites from larger fish, a behavior they may exhibit in the aquarium as well. This cleaning behavior is fascinating to observe and can be beneficial to other tank inhabitants.

In the aquarium, the Neon Goby will readily accept a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, and enriched brine shrimp. Offering a diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health. They typically reach a maximum size of around 2 inches in captivity. They are generally peaceful and can be kept with a variety of other non-aggressive marine fish and invertebrates. While they are not known to host in anemones, they will often perch on live rock or other aquarium decor.