Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Gobiodon okinawae
Common name
Yellow clown goby
Okinawa goby
Origin
Origin: Pacific Ocean (Indonesia, Japan, Australia)
Natural habitat: coral reefs between 2m (80") and 15m (590") of depth
Dimorphism
The male has a slightly brighter coloration
Group
Gobiidae
Volume
50 L / 11 Imp gal / 13 US gal for 1
Parameters
T°: 23 to 26°C or 73 to 79°F
pH: 7.5 to 8.5
Density: 1021 to 1025
Difficulty
Easy
Size
3.5 cm (1.4")
Longevity
3 to 4 years
Living zone
Middle
Individuals
1 or 2 (couple)
Food
How to feed the Gobiodon okinawae?
Food
How to feed the Gobiodon okinawae?
This species is carnivorous, more specifically planctivorous and not really easy to feed. It will start by feeding small live prey such as artemia during the acclimation phase. You can then switch to frozen food (finely chopped mys, krill, cyclops, zooplankton, phytoplankton bred shrimp fry...).
Some aquarists manage to make them accept dry foods, but it’s not always successful! In a reef aquarium, rich in micro-foods, feed it once a day. In other configurations, switch to several meals a day.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Palette Gobiodon okinawae have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Gobiodon okinawae have?
Sociable, calm, peaceful, even jovial, the yellow goby has a good temper. It will spend most of its time on an observation post, monitoring the possible approach of prey nearby. Its «perched» posture is fun to watch.
It seems that the Gobie is able to recognize its owner, or rather the hand that feeds him!
When they are kept in pairs, they clean their nesting place until they are completely stripped of a branch of their host coral. If the coral is too small, it may be difficult to support this treatment and develop necrosis. If it is larger, it should be of no consequence. Note that this behavior does not appear in case of single-handed maintenance of the Gobie.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Gobiodon okinawae?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Gobiodon okinawae?
Its maintenance is recommended either alone or in pairs for small aquariums (at least 50 liters or 11 Imp Gal or 14 US Gal alone, 100 liters or 22 Imp Gal or 26 US Gal in pairs). Group maintenance is not recommended because it can lead to territorial conflicts. Indeed, despite its calm and peaceful nature, it can actively protect its territory from its congeners.
The other cohabitation restrictions are mainly due to the fact that this fish is quite small, making it a natural prey for many larger fish. However, it is not really shy and has its little temper. The presence of large, peaceful fish will not bother him.
Watch out for cohabitation with fish that are too voracious like wrasses. Make sure your Gobie has a good meal. If it has a hungry stomach and is getting slower, it cannot eat properly.
Breeding
How to breed the Gobiodon okinawae?
Breeding
How to breed the Gobiodon okinawae?
Breeding in captivity is very difficult, especially when rearing fry which are still problematic (their feeding is very delicate).
The Yellow Goby has the ability to change sex when necessary (Protogyne hermaphrodite). So, if you buy 2 young fish and they grow up together, you’ll have a couple!
At the time of breeding, the fish will strip up to the skeleton part of a coral to deposit eggs. The laying can include up to 1000 eggs that will incubate 5 days. The fry will not turn their beautiful yellow color until around the 40th day.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Gobiodon okinawae?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Gobiodon okinawae?
A natural inhabitant of coral reefs, a reef aquarium will be particularly adapted to its needs. Note that the Yellow Goby is particularly fond of Acropora-type corals, which you will have to install in abundance in your Goby aquarium. In summary, it will feel comfortable in any aquarium abundantly populated in branched corals and where predation will be absent.
Finally, do not hesitate to enlighten your aquarium, because this fish loves light.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
The Yellow Goby secretes a toxic and bitter mucus to protect itself from its predators. When you make your purchase, check that its belly is well bounced, a sign of good health. Acclimatization can be tricky. Be patient, gentle and make sure your fish eats well after you arrive home.
As it has no scales, it is sensitive enough to water parameters and especially to variations in salinity.
Gobiodon okinawae is quite similar to Gobidon citrinus (Goby coral lemon). However, it has blue and white stripes that our Yellow Goby does not have. Its family (Gobiidae) has more than 450 species!
Yours photos!
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