Easy

Yellow Clown Goby

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Gobiodon okinawae

Complete Yellow Clown Goby care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 10 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Yellow Clown Goby

Quick Answer

Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae) is a small, vividly colored goby that perches on Acropora corals. It requires a minimum 10 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae) is a small, vividly colored goby that perches on Acropora corals. It is a favorite for nano reefs.

Setup

A 10-gallon or larger reef tank with live rock and branching corals (or fake structures) to perch on. Gentle water flow.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and small pellets. Feed small amounts daily.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Can be kept singly or as a mated pair. Good with other small, peaceful reef fish. May nip at Acropora polyps (usually not harmful).

Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Banggai Cardinalfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity Blue Green Chromis Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity Coral Banded Shrimp Care Guide: Water Params & Breeding semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Yellow Clown Gobies should be kept together?
Keep singly or as a verified male-female mated pair in a nano reef tank of at least 10 gallons (38 liters) for a single, 20 gallons (75 liters) for a pair. Yellow clown gobies (Gobiodon okinawae) are small, bright yellow marine gobies that like to perch directly on SPS coral branches. Two males or unbonded individuals fight over coral heads. Provide branching corals (Acropora, Pocillopora) or substitutes. Avoid with aggressive tank mates (dottybacks, large wrasses). Use a tight-fitting lid; they are jumpers.
What are the exact marine water parameters for Yellow Clown Gobies?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They produce a toxic body slime that prevents larger predatory fish from eating them. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 15% water changes. Use a protein skimmer and live rock. Provide branching coral structures. Stable salinity is critical.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Yellow Clown Gobies?
They are micro-carnivores requiring 55% protein, 15% fat, 30% algae. Feed frozen cyclops, finely minced mysis shrimp, fortified brine shrimp, and small marine pellets (0.5 mm) twice daily. They have tiny mouths; ensure food particle size under 0.5 mm. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L Cupramine) but sensitive to hyposalinity. Praziquantel is safe. Quarantine with chloroquine phosphate (15 mg/L) for 14 days. Avoid formalin.
How to breed Yellow Clown Gobies in captivity?
Breeding is rare but possible. Condition a bonded pair with enriched cyclops and baby brine shrimp for 3 weeks. Provide a branching SPS coral or PVC T-fitting. The pair selects a coral branch; female lays 100-300 adhesive eggs. Male guards and fans eggs for 5-7 days at 75°F (24°C). Eggs hatch; larvae require rotifers and phytoplankton for 21-28 days. Metamorphosis occurs at 0.3 inches (8 mm). Not recommended for home aquariums.

Related Content

fish

African Butterflyfish

Complete African Butterflyfish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

fish

African Cichlid

Complete African Cichlid care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, aggressive temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

fish

African Leaf Fish

Complete African Leaf Fish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

fish

African Red Eyed Tetra

Complete African Red Eyed Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

fish

Angelfish

Complete Angelfish care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

fish

Apistogramma

Complete Apistogramma care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.