Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Callogobius

Callogobius clitellus

McKinney & Lachner, 1978

Saddled Goby

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Papua New Guinea.

Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef slopes where sand and rubble collects and usually found at depths between 10 -65 feet (3 - 20 m) where it lives in small burrows and feeds upon zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Extremely rare in the trade, and having a whitish tan body with orange irregular bands.

As of 2016, no aquarium husbandry exists for this species. Yet would probably be best maintained in small well-established fish-only or reef aquariums, and wide-open sandy areas along with some small rubble.

Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes, as this no doubt is a shy slow moving species.

As to diet, what others in this genus would consume would be the best way to go, e.g., finely chopped fresh or frozen meaty foods, e.g., krill, marine fish flesh, mysis shrimp, shrimp, scallops, squid, clams, and fed twice daily.

If difficult to get feeding, try live adult fortified brine shrimp and black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus).

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Gobioidei

    Family: Gobiidae

    Genus: Callogobius

FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Callogobius clitellus (Saddled Goby)
Photo © John Randall
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