SPS and Yellow Crown Goby

[naesco]

From www.wetwebmedia.com

Clown or Coral Gobies, The Genus Gobiodon. Thirteen species.

I must mention these tiny chubsters; they've got to be close to the best fishes for reef and "mixed" aquariums. Though only attaining a miniscule 2 1/2 inches, Gobiodon are huge on color and spunky personality. Due to their noxious body slime no other fish bothers them, and they're happy as proverbial clams with some Acropora coral to live and feed on or their skeleton and a little live meaty food. Coral gobies should only be housed with non-aggressive feeders such as Cardinals, Seahorses and Pipefishes.

When kept as a small group they readily form pairs and mate. The genus are hermaphrodites, with females turning into males. The female deposits circular bands around a branch of host coral that are immediately fertilized and subsequently guarded by the male. Perhaps owing to their small size, rearing the young has not proved easy.

The lemon-drop-like Citron Goby, Gobiodon citrinus is the most commonly kept. The equally adaptable Yellow Goby is frequently mixed and sold as the citron; it lacks the latter's beautiful blue and white lines. Also check out the gorgeous blue-spotted coral goby, Gobiodon histrio; often mis-identified as Gobiodon rivulatus.

Keep your eyes open for the coral gobies of the genus Gobiodon and do try them if you have a mixed invertebrate/peaceful fish set-up or reef system with Acropora polyps to spare... as this is what this genus largely lives and feeds on in the wild. Found in the wild with small damsels and juvenile hawkfish which share their Acroporid perches.