Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Red Cap Goby, also referred to as the Red Head Goby, are found throughout Central America and Ecuador. A fish that packs a punch with personality, the Red cap goby has a long and somewhat robust body that is overall opaque with several dark spots and a bright red face with neon stripes around its eyes and on the top of its head. Red cap gobies are relatively peaceful and stay small, making them a great candidate for nano aquariums and community reef tanks. Interestingly these gobies may be observed “cleaning” tank mates in the home aquarium much like close relatives the Neon Cleaner Gobies (Elacatinus oceanops). Red cap gobies can be kept in small groups, but some chasing may be observed if there is inadequate space and hiding spots for multiple individuals; all individuals should be introduced at the same time for the best chance of success. An adult Red cap goby can reach a size of approximately 2″.
Diet Requirements: Red cap 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. Red cap gobies may accept high quality flake and micro-pellet foods.
Care Requirements: A minimum 10 to 15 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a Red cap goby. A larger tank would be ideal for a group. Red cap gobies enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to hop around on and take refuge if needed. Do not house Red cap gobies with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank-mates, or predatory fish that could still potentially eat them. Gobies of this size also sometimes fall victim to reef lobsters and larger pistol shrimp species. A Red cap 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: Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
