Elacatinus evelynae

(Bohlke & Robins, 1968)

Sharknose Goby

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Bahamas and the western Caribbean, and the Lesser Antilles to the northern coast of South America.

Size: 2 inches (4 cm)

Natural Environment: Found amongst coral reefs near coral heads in protected lagoons and usually found at depths between 3 – 150 feet (1 – 45 m) where it feeds upon benthic invertebrate/zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, having a darkish body with a white belly, and a yellow band from the snout through the eye and to just aft of the gill plate, then becoming white to and onto the tail.

Best maintained in fish-only or reef aquariums with rocky caves and crevices where it can hide if feeling threatened and a deep sand bed that can provide it some minute crustaceans.

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 once daily.

If difficult to get feeding, try live adult fortified brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Gobioidei

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Elacatinus

FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

They are a cleaner fish, and will pick parasites off larger fishes.

Captive bred specimens available.

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: 10 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 – 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5