Clown Goby peeps, share your knowledge!

[beesnreefs]

I’m looking for a fish with a bit of character, like a Hawkfish. But I’d also like to keep shrimp (so no Hawkfish! Haha). Considering a Clown Goby.

1) Are they invert safe?

2) Any concerns with aggression? (I have anthias, tangs, a Midas blenny, several wrasses, a royal gramma…)

3) Which Clown Goby is your fave…and why?

Thanks R2R community!

 

[homer1475]

They are wonderful, great personality, absolutely no aggression in IME, and are just great tank mates.

Only downside is they only live like 3 or 4 years max, and like to irritate acropora. They actually will suck the slime coat off the coral killing it slowly.

I personally love the green clown goby, AKA Warpaint goby. Owned many of the green and citron variety over they years. I stopped keeping them because of their short lifespan.

 

[lulubap]

1) Mine is so small I wouldn't even be worried about it with inverts, so I would say invert safe
2) Not really, he sort of just chills on his rock. He's already staked out his territory, so he seems to only have issues if people impose upon it.
3) I love the citron and green clown goby, but I have a black clown goby. Can't tell you if different colors have different temperaments. For the most part, black clown goby has been a model citizen.

 

[i cant think]

I’m looking for a fish with a bit of character, like a Hawkfish. But I’d also like to keep shrimp (so no Hawkfish! Haha). Considering a Clown Goby.

1) Are they invert safe?

2) Any concerns with aggression? (I have anthias, tangs, a Midas blenny, several wrasses, a royal gramma…)

3) Which Clown Goby is your fave…and why?

Thanks R2R community!

1) Clown Gobies are invert safe for the most part. They can do damage to SPS coral if it’s a coral they like. For example;

Mine loves the Seriatopora and will perch in it at night when sleeping. Good news is that if you can have a fast growing SPS coral then chances are if you can keep it happy you can keep it from dying off.

2) Aggression wise, these guys are totally peaceful in comparison to others. If they have a favourite spot to perch then they may ward off other fish from that area but I wouldn’t say it’s aggression.

3) What’s my overall favourite species? That’s a hard one to answer… I think it’s between the Warpaint Clown Gobies (Gobiodon atrangulatus), Gobiodon ayoyagii or the Black Clown Goby (Gobiodon acicularis specifically).

The species I have is Gobiodon acicularis, this is one of a few species labelled as Black Clown Gobies. Here’s why I like them so much…

 

[Seymo44]

I have a yellow clown goby with some sexy shrimp in a 5 gal all in on. It’s always out and about and hovers about the rock when I approach the tank. Tons of personality and invert safe.

My wife, on the other hand, has a green clown goby that is rarely seen. And her sexy shrimp have slowly disappeared.