Gobies · Gobiidae
Care levelBeginner
Yellow Clown Goby
Gobiodon okinawae
A small lemon-yellow coral goby with a broad head and perching habit. It suits a carefully stocked peaceful aquarium, but may nip SPS polyps or remove coral tissue around a spawning site.
Small mouth size and gentle feeding competition need attention; assess the risk of SPS picking before introduction.
Recommendation
Would you recommend this fish for a suitable saltwater aquarium?
10+ galRecommended tank
1.5 inchesAdult size
Peaceful; territorial with similar gobiesTemperament
With cautionCoral safety
+ Why you’ll love them
- Distinctive coloration and behavior.
- Small body size for a thoughtfully stocked peaceful aquarium.
- Generally peaceful toward appropriately chosen dissimilar fish.
! Things to consider
- May nip SPS polyps or damage tissue around spawning sites.
- Similar gobies can dispute shelter or territory.
- Needs secure cover and a suitable adult habitat.
Tank and habitat
- Recommended volume
- 10 US gallons or larger; allow for stocking and layout.
- Full-grown size
- 1.5 inches (maximum adult size)
- Tank footprint and swimming space
- Provide several elevated perches, sheltered resting areas and gentle feeding zones. Increase space for more than one coral goby.
- Tank maturity
- Use a fully cycled aquarium with stable filtration and a dependable feeding plan. Tank age alone does not demonstrate readiness. Suggested tank age is a planning guide, not proof of readiness. Complete cycling, stable water and the right food supply are essential.
- Habitat and equipment
- Offer stable rock perches and branching-style shelter with a secure lid and protected intakes. Living SPS is not a guarantee of a trouble-free relationship.
Care and compatibility
- Temperament
- Peaceful; territorial with similar gobies
- Why this care level
- Small mouth size and gentle feeding competition need attention; assess the risk of SPS picking before introduction.
- Suitable tank mates and conflicts
- Choose peaceful fish that cannot swallow this goby. Avoid persistent harassers, predatory basses and aggressive bottom dwellers; ensure every fish can reach food.
- Alone, pair or group
- Usually peaceful with dissimilar fish, but can fight its own kind in confined space. Keep singly unless a compatible pair is established.
Corals and invertebrates
- Coral safety
-
With caution
With caution: may nip SPS polyps. Spawning on Acropora or similar branches can cause localized tissue loss; observe small colonies closely. - Shrimp safety
-
With caution
Generally compatible with established ornamental shrimp, but tiny shrimp and larvae may be eaten. Predatory crustaceans can threaten the goby. - Snail safety
-
Generally compatible
Generally compatible with established snails; tiny larvae and small food organisms may be eaten. - Clam safety
-
Generally compatible
Generally leaves clam tissue alone; monitor the individual and keep normal feeding needs met.
Food and feeding
- Diet
- Carnivore; suitable small marine meaty foods
- Feeding plan
- Offer very small marine meaty portions where the fish perches. Check that food size and current allow it to eat.
- Prepared or live food
- Fine mysis, enriched brine shrimp and suitable marine preparations; use small pellets if the individual demonstrably accepts them.
Water conditions
- Temperature
- 72–78 °F (22–26 °C) is the marine aquarium reference range used here. Maintain stable conditions and consider all inhabitants.
- Specific gravity
- Specific gravity 1.020–1.025 is a common fish-care reference range. Corals and other invertebrates may require a narrower target.
- pH
- pH 8.1–8.4. Maintain stability and monitor alkalinity instead of making abrupt corrections.
Long-term care
- Lifespan
- The references used here do not establish a dependable typical captive lifespan. Plan for long-term care without assuming an invented average.
- Growth and future planning
- Published aquarium guidance lists up to about 1.5 inches. Plan for adult shelter and feeding needs rather than the juvenile’s purchase size.
Before you buy
- Is this fish right for your tank?
- Confirm it eats food small enough for its mouth. In an SPS reef, accept a risk of polyp picking and localized tissue damage.
- Buying checklist
- Check the scientific name, observe feeding and inspect the eyes, fins, breathing and body condition. Arrange quarantine and confirm the seller’s feeding and acclimation routine.
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