Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Neon Blue Barsnout Goby, also referred to as a Cleaner Goby, is well known for its dazzling coloration. A fish that packs a punch with personality, the Neon blue barsnout goby has a slender, long body with a pair of electric blue horizontal stripes on each side of its body that usually fades to a lighter shade of blue-white as you get closer to its face. This subtle marking could help to identify this goby from the common Neon Blue Cleaner Goby (E. oceanops) and other close relatives, yet the Neon blue barsnout goby is part of a complex “complex” of Atlantic Cleaner Gobies within the genus Elacatinus. Neon blue barsnout gobies are relatively peaceful and stay small, making them a great candidate for nano aquariums and community reef tanks. Interestingly Neon blue barsnout gobies, even given their small adult size, are often left unharmed by larger fish in the aquarium because they are seen as “cleaner” fish. In the wild, these gobies pick parasites off of fish and this behavior may be observed in the home aquarium. Neon blue barsnout gobies are best kept singly unless the aquarium is large enough to provide space and hiding spots for multiple individuals; all individuals should be introduced at the same time for the best chance of success. An adult Neon blue barsnout goby can reach a size of approximately 2″.
Diet Requirements: Neon blue barsnout gobies are primarily carnivores, feeding on small organisms suspended in the water column and off of the live rock. A diet largely consisting of high quality, vitamin enriched frozen preparations is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, and immune function. Such foods can include, but are not limited to, brine shrimp, calanus, cyclopeeze and rotifers. Frozen food mixes that include algae such as Spirulina and Chlorella are desired. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements. Neon blue barsnout gobies may accept high quality flake and micro-pellet foods.
Care Requirements: A minimum 10 to 15 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a single Neon blue barsnout goby. A larger tank would be required for a group. Neon blue barsnout gobies enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to hop around on and take refuge if needed. Do not house Neon blue barsnout gobies with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank mates, or predatory fish that could still potentially eat them. Cleaner gobies also sometimes fall victim to reef lobsters and larger pistol shrimp species. A Neon blue barsnout goby would feel most at home in a reef aquarium, and they will not harm any invertebrate or coral. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size:Â Small: 1/2″ to 1″; Medium: 1-1/4″ to 1-3/4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
