Captive Bred Neon Blue Cleaner Goby
The Captive Bred Neon Blue Cleaner Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is a small, peaceful marine fish with brilliant electric-blue stripes running along its dark, streamlined body. Hardy, reef safe and well suited to nano aquariums, this colourful goby is an excellent choice for both newer and experienced marine fishkeepers.
Neon Blue Cleaner Gobies are natural facultative cleaners and may gently remove dead skin and external parasites from larger fish. However, they do not depend on cleaning behaviour for survival and readily accept a variety of prepared aquarium foods.
Why Choose a Captive Bred Neon Blue Cleaner Goby?
- Brilliant electric-blue colouration
- Captive bred and accustomed to aquarium life
- Hardy and relatively easy to care for
- Suitable for nano reef aquariums
- Peaceful towards most other fish
- Completely reef safe with corals and invertebrates
- May display natural cleaning behaviour
- Readily accepts frozen and prepared foods
Aquarium Requirements
The Neon Blue Cleaner Goby can be kept in an established marine aquarium of approximately 40 litres or larger. Provide live rock, small caves and crevices where it can rest, establish a territory and retreat when necessary.
This species is peaceful towards most tankmates but can become territorial towards other Neon Gobies. It is generally best kept individually or as a confirmed compatible pair.
Avoid housing this small goby with large predatory or highly aggressive fish that may intimidate or eat it.
Reef Compatibility
The Neon Blue Cleaner Goby is considered completely reef safe. It will not normally damage corals, clams or ornamental invertebrates, making it an excellent addition to nano reefs and larger mixed reef aquariums.
Larger fish may recognise the goby as a cleaner and allow it to inspect their skin and fins. This behaviour is fascinating to observe but should not be relied upon as a substitute for proper quarantine, disease prevention or treatment.
Feeding
Although wild Neon Gobies consume some parasites from larger fish, captive specimens must be provided with a complete and varied diet.
Suitable foods include:
- Small marine pellets
- Frozen baby brine shrimp
- Finely chopped mysis shrimp
- Frozen calanus
- Other finely prepared carnivore foods
Feed small portions daily and ensure food particles are appropriately sized for its small mouth.
Care Information
Scientific Name: Elacatinus oceanops
Common Names: Neon Blue Cleaner Goby, Neon Goby
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Minimum Aquarium Size: Approximately 40 litres
Diet: Carnivore
Recommended Grouping: Individual or compatible pair
Suitable For: Nano reefs and established marine aquariums
Captive-bred Neon Blue Cleaner Gobies are an excellent alternative to wild-caught fish. Their small size, hardy nature, peaceful temperament and striking colouration make them one of the best marine gobies for fishkeepers wanting maximum personality without requiring a large aquarium.
