Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Pacific Ocean
Size: 3 inches (6 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits fine and silty sandy bottom on seaward reefs areas and lives with Alpheid/pistol shrimp and usually found at depths between 3 – 130 feet (1 – 40 m) where it feeds upon benthic invertebrate.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, having a whitish somewhat translucent body with orange spots and white very short lines on the upper body and a prominent dorsal fin spike.
Best maintained in fish-only or reef aquariums with wide-open course grained (2 – 4 mm) sandy areas where it can form a burrow, and also some loose rubble where it can hide if feeling threatened.
Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes.
As to diet, should be fed finely chopped fresh or frozen meaty foods, e.g., krill, marine fish flesh, mysis, scallops, shrimp, clams, and be fed twice daily. Small sinking enriched shrimp pellets are also an excellent way of keeping them well fed.
If difficult to get feeding, try live adult fortified brine shrimp and black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus).
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Gobioidei
Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Ctenogobiops
FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.
May hide for days when first introduced into the aquarium.
One per aquarium unless a mated pair.
Will consume small ornamental shrimp and small crabs.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
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: 20 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5