Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Polyp Lab 

Gobiodon

Gobiodon unicolor

(Castelnau, 1873)

Unicolor Coral Goby

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Indian and Pacific Oceans: Chagos Archipelago, and Southern Japan to Australia.

Size: 2 inches (3 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits the branches of Acropora coral branches on local reefs and usually found at depths between 3 – 50 feet (1 – 15 m) where it feeds mainly on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Somewhat rare in the trade having a short stubby dark greyish body with a lengthwise pale grey line.

Best maintained in small, nano style fish-only or reef aquariums with branching stony corals where it can perch and watch for food to come close enough to dart outwards and grab.

Tankmates must be peaceful/allow its undisturbed areas and access to food when feeding times occur.

As to diet, fresh or frozen meaty foods, e.g., krill, marine fish flesh, mysis, scallops, shrimp, clams, and should be finely chopped and be fed twice daily.

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

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Gobioidei

    Family: Gobiidae

    Genus: Gobiodon

FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

One per aquarium.

May nip corals.

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 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Gobiodon unicolor (Unicolor Coral Goby)
Photo © Tristan Lougher
Site Supported in Part by:
Tunze