Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis)

The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Bluefin Dwarf, Dusky Angelfish, Dusky Cherub, Black Angelfish, Brown Pygmy Angelfish, Many Spined Angelfish, and Multispined Angelfish is found in the northern and western Indian Ocean.

Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa, including the Red Sea, and across the Indian Ocean (where it is common) to Sumatra and Thailand.

The Bluefin Angelfish can be encountered alone, in pairs, and in small harems among areas of rocky rubble along the outer reef slopes and coral rich reefs and lagoons of their range, at depths from 3 to over 90 feet where they feed on algae, small crustaceans, soft and stony corals, zooplankton, and detritus.

Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis)

The Bluefin Angelfish has a blackish blue “dusky” body color marked with black vertical bars along he flanks and lighter blue marbling on the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. The anal and caudal fins are outlined in a thin, bright sapphire blue color, and they have a dark blue to black splotch to the rear of the eye behind the gills.

Males and females exhibit minimal sexual dimorphism and are difficult to identify. They are protogynous hermaphrodites that have the ability to change sex from female to male when no male is present.

The Bluefin Angelfish is occasionally misidentified as the Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) which have more orange colored bodies.

The Bluefin Angelfish can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 70 gallon capacity with a fine coralline gravel or sandy substrate decorated with an abundance of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to graze and hide among and plenty of free swimming space.

Although Centropyge multispinis are considered reef safe, they are known to nip on soft and stony corals, clam mantles, feather dusters, and anemones.   They are less likely to consume SPS corals and will often ignore many corals entirely. The safest corals to keep with this species is bubble corals, disc anemone, hammer corals, star polyps, and small polyped stony corals.

Unless you plan to breed a pair, only one Bluefin Angelfish should be housed per tank.

Celebrated for their peaceful temperament, Centropyge multispinis tend to get along well with a variety of fish and invertebrates. Some suitable tankmates include Blennies, Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae), Damselfish, Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani), Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Hawkfish, Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Tangs, and Wrasses.

Avoid introducing larger Basses, Groupers, Lionfish, or Triggers that may harass or eat smaller species.

The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) has not been bred in an aquarium environment.

In their natural habitat, dominant males are polygamous and reproduce with several females in small harems. Spawning usually occurs at dusk. The buoyant eggs are left to float in the water column as plankton until they hatch into larvae and eventually grow into juvenile fish.

The offspring are always born female. As they grow into adulthood, some individuals change sex to become males.

In their natural environment, Bluefin Angelfish feed on algae, small invertebrates, corals, and zooplankton. In an established aquarium environment with mature live rock, their diet should include fresh and frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, quality marine pellets, and occasional offerings of marine algae. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad, and Ocean Nutrition are all easy to use products that will keep them healthy.

The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from waiting lists through a variety of wholesale and retail sources online and local tropical fish shops at the following approximate purchase sizes: Tiny: Up to 1″, Small: Over 1-1.5″, Small / Medium: Over 1.5-2″, Medium: Over 2-2.5″, Medium / Large: Over 2.5-3″, Large: Over 3-3.5″, Extra Large: Over 3.5-4″, Extra Extra Large: Over 4-4.5″, Show Size: Over 4.5″

Prices vary according to size and area of collection. For Sri Lanka specimens; prices start at
$ 69.99 for small, to over $155.00 for specimens 4″ and over.

Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis)

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR or Reef
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Brown, Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Ok with Caution
Origin: northern and western Indian Ocean
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata)

The Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Babylonian snail, Leopard nassarius snail, Lion snail, Ivory whelk snail, Spotted Babylon snail, Spiral Babylon, Butterscotch Nassarius, Puramutta chankm, Baigae snail, or Babylonia sp. is widely distributed in Indo-Pacific waters, particularly, from the Western Indian Ocean to Bali, Indonesia.   In India, Babylonia spirata has been recorded from the southeast and southwest coasts and the waters around Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Babylonia spirata are carnivorous, opportunistic scavengers that prefer warm waters. They are mostly nocturnal and generally found in the silt or sandy benthic zones of the marine coastal waters of their range, at depths from 15 to over 100 ft, where they bury themselves within the substrate.

The Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata) is often misidentified as Babylonia areolata or Babylonia zeylanica which is almost identical but grows a bit larger (up to 3 inches). Also, in comparison to Babylonia spirata; Babylonia zeylanica’s shell has slightly impressed sutures and is mostly distributed in Indian and Sri Lankan waters. All three have similar behavior but the Spotted Babylon snail is larger than members of the Nassarius species.

Babylonia Spirata is one of the most beautiful snail species in the aquarium hobby.
It is also an edible snail that provides a valuable, high protein food source in Vietnam, Thailand, China and other countries. Their operculum is exported to foreign countries for medicines and perfumes, and their shells for the shell craft industry.

Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata)

The Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata) has a smooth, broad, ovoid white to yellowish colored shell with large orange to brown markings, with six regular spiral rows of whorls that have deep sutures with a sharp edge. They have a smooth columella with a large, posteriorly constricted ovate aperture and an operculum that they use to close their shell when stressed or disturbed by predators. They also have a large, elephant like proboscis that is used for breathing and smelling out prey and a very long, strong foot that they use to flip themselves over when upended.

Female Tiger Nassarius Snails are slightly larger and heavier than males. Males can be determined externally by the presence of a male organ on the right side of the head, just behind the right tentacle. Females possess a pedal gland on the ventral side of the foot, to shape and harden the egg capsule.

A single large Babylon spirata requires a well established FOWLR or reef tank of at least 20 gallon capacity with live rock and a silt or fine sandy substrate deep enough for them to burrow into.   These hardy snails make an excellent cleanup crew for eating detritus, decaying organics, fish waste and leftover meaty foods like Mysis shrimp in the aquarium.   Generally, 1 or 2 snails are recommended per 5 gallons to keep the aquarium substrate clean and aerated.

Except for Tridachnea clams, Leopard nassarius snails are completely reef safe and will not pester corals or inverts however, if you have too many snails or there are not enough leftovers and naturally occurring foods in the system, they may attack other snails.  Because they are large snails, they have a tendency to bulldoze under the substrate while feeding and could rearrange unsecured corals in a reef tank.

The Tiger Nassarius Snail is not an aggressive species and is compatible with most tankmates including full grown Fighting Conch Snails, Cerith snails, Astrea Snails, Mexican turbo snails, Trochus snails, etc. and shrimp like Sexy shrimp, Red Fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius), Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) or Skunk Cleaner (Lysmata amboinensis).

Avoid keeping them with aggressive species like large aggressive fish, the Coral Banded shrimp, most crab species, and all hermit crabs including the Halloween Hermit Crab, Blue Leg Hermit Crab, etc. which will try to kill them for their shell.

The primarily nocturnal Tiger Nassarius Snail will usually bury themselves in the substrate with only the proboscis showing during the day unless they smell any dead organic matter. They will then quickly emerge from the substrate to feed.

Although they are carnivores, they are not active predators and prefer to feed on dead animal matter.

Water temperature is the most important factor when keeping Tiger Nassarius Snails. They prefer a warmer water temperature between 79 to 86°F which affects their growth rate, survival rate, hatch rate, incubation period, larval feeding behavior, larval growth, etc.   This species does not tolerate temperatures that are either too low or too hot.

The Tiger Nassarius Snail has been bred in captivity but it is extremely difficult, the main problem is the survivability of the larvae due to its specific diet requirements.

Babylonia spirata is gonochoristic with internal fertilization. Spawning can occur during daylight or night time hours. Throughout the spawning period, the females do not eat, even when food is placed near them.

The mating process begins when a mature female positions herself to the right side of the male and mounts the male. Mating continues for 2 to 3 hours during which time the pair remain immobile. After mating the male moves off leaving the female in an inactive stage for some time.

After fertilization is complete the female will deposit anywhere from 35 to 40 jelly like egg capsules to the substratum, with each capsule containing 350 to 800 eggs. The transparent egg capsules harden on contact with seawater and are held in an erect position until the larvae hatch out. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for the female to release a single egg capsule.

About 7 to 8 days after spawning, the eggs hatch out into phototaxis larvae or veligers which are light sensitive and immediately start swimming to the surface to start their planktonic phase. For the next 10 days, the veligers feed on phytoplankton until they become juveniles.

Metamorphosis occurs from veligers to juveniles when their shell length reaches 1.7 mm. After settling to the substrate, the planktonic life changes and they become carnivores.

Juvenile tank bred snails at the crawling stage can be fed baby brine shrimp for the first two weeks, followed by frozen adult brine shrimp, shrimp pellets, egg yolk, egg albumin, tubifex worms, rotifers, etc.   After 4 to 5 weeks the baby snails are able to eat small pieces of fish.   They grow at a fast rate and attain maximum size within 2 to 3 years.

In their natural habitat, Babylon spirata is a scavenging carnivore that feeds mainly on dead organic and decayed animal matter present in the substratum where they live.

In an established aquarium environment with a sufficiently deep silt or fine sand substrate they will eat detritus, leftover food, etc. however, if there is not enough leftovers or naturally occuring food in the tank they may attack other snails in the system.

Supplement their diet with meaty foods such as fresh or frozen brine or mysis shrimp, small pieces of fish and seafood, freeze dried larvae, meats of clam, mussels, oysters, and prawns, etc. Feeding two to three times a week is recommended.

The Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata) is imported from the Indo Pacific and is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers at approximate purchase sizes: 1″ to 2” at prices from $17.99 to $ 24.99 or more.

Tiger Nassarius Snail (Babylonia spirata)

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Aquarium Type: Established Reef or FOWLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 79-86° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.021-1.025
Max. Size: 1.7 – 2.2″
Color Form: White, Yellowish, Orange, Brown,
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Compatible
Origin: Indo-West Pacific
Family: Babyloniidae
Lifespan: 4 – 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata)

The Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Spotted Babylon is distributed throughout Indo-West Pacific and Southwest Atlantic waters. Its range extends from Sri Lanka and the Nicobar Islands through the Gulf of Siam, along the Vietnamese and Chinese coasts to Taiwan where it is found in intertidal areas at the mouth of the Baoli River.

The Maculated Ivory Whelk or Spotted Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) is often erroneously referred to as the Leopard or Tiger Nassarius snail (Babylonia sp.). Both have similar behavior but the Spotted Babylon snail is larger than members of the Nassarius species.

The Maculated Ivory Whelk is found in brackish, muddy sand areas of littoral regions at depths from 16 to 32 feet usually burrowed in the substrate where they scavenge for decaying organics and detritus. Babylonia areolata are a nocturnal species that consume about as much food as a dozen Nassarius vibex.

Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata)

The Spotted Babylon Snail has a slender buccinoid shell with three broadly separated rows of dark brown spots over a white to yellowish cream colored shell. The color of the live animal is yellow.

Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata)

Babylonia areolata is an edible snail that is a commercially aquacultured and is an important species to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as well as the cuisine of Vietnam, Thailand, and China among others.

The Maculated Ivory Whelk is best housed in a well established FOWLR or reef tank with a thick sandy substrate for them to bury themselves in. They thrive in aquariums of any size that house large, messy eating species that require supplemental feedings of meaty foods and leave enough scraps for the snail to eat.

Babylonia areolata bury themselves in the sand until they sense food. Once they sense food, they quickly uncover themselves to consume any available food in the tank and then rebury until they sense the next meal.

Being nocturnal animals they are normally visible later in the day or in the evening after the lights are turned off on the display.

Although Maculated Ivory Welk are reported to prey on other snails and bivalves such as small clams, they are generally considered a beneficial species that help clean and aerate the sandy substrate in the tank and scavenge for uneaten food and decaying organics.   It is best to avoid this snail if housing Tridacna spp clams in a reef aquarium.

Babylonia areolata is a non-broadcast spawner that is widely aquacultured as a food source. Their life cycle does not include a free-swimming (trocophore) larval stage found in many marine annelids and mollusks.

All Babylon Snails are scavenging omnivores that will consume uneaten food, decaying organics, and detritus. In an aquarium environment, they will eat a variety of fresh and frozen high quality meaty foods like fresh fish, shrimp, or krill in addition to what they feed on from the substrate in the tank.

The Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata) is imported from the Indo Pacific and is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers at an approximate purchase size: 1″ to 2” and prices from $17.99 to $ 24.99.

Maculated Ivory Whelk (Babylonia areolata)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Aquarium Type: Established Reef or FOWLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: White, Brown, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore/detritivore
Compatibility: Reef Compatible
Origin: Indo-West Pacific
Family: Babyloniidae
Lifespan: 1 – 4 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus)

The Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Puppet Margarite or Little Margarite is a marine turban snail species that is found from the Bering Sea to Southern California.

Margarita Snails are normally found among rocky shorelines and kelp beds of their range at depths from the low intertidal zone to over 325 feet where they are often collected off the Large Brown Kelp (Allium fimbriatum).

Margarites pupillus are not natural diggers. They are constantly on the move and are considered nocturnal animals, with the peak of their activity beginning at dusk.

Substantial numbers of Margarita Snails can typically found on the upper surfaces of Allium fimbriatum rather than on the undersides of the kelp. Apparently the kelp provides the Margarita Snails a safe haven from benthic predators that prey on them from below, especially crabs.

Although Margarita Snails are frequently found together in large numbers, they are not necessarily social animals. They are a docile, solitary, non aggressive, species that do not seem to associate with conspecifics unless they decide to mate.

Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus)

Margarites pupillus are small marine mollusks that seldom exceed 1 inch in length.  True

Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus)

Margarita Snails have a smooth, silvery, pink to orange colored conical formed shell that is narrowly umbilicated and consists of 4 to 5 whorls with a flat base. The opening to the shell is circular with an arched columella.

Margarita snails are often covered with algae that makes it nearly impossible to see the natural color of their shells. The algal growth on the shell provides a natural camouflage for predator avoidance.

Margarita snails are gonochoric (separate male and female individuals), without any external sexual dimorphism.

Unlike many marine snails that can retreat into their shell and close it with an operculum, the Margarita Snail does not have a proper defensive mechanism.   Instead, they rapidly flick their shells back and forth to shake off a predator or simply try to outrun the predator.   Their top speed is about 4 inches/min which in a snail’s world is pretty quick.

The Margarita Snail is completely reef safe and is best housed in a well established reef aquarium with a smooth gravel or stony substrate, plenty of diatoms and algae encrusted live rock arranged into hiding places, and sufficient room for them to roam and graze. The snails are too small to damage any decor in a reef tank and will not bother corals.

Margarita Snails are non-aggressive, docile by nature, and do well in a FOWLR tank with peaceful tank mates like dwarf shrimp and small, non carnivorous fish.

Good tankmates include Sexy Shrimp, Pederson Cleaner Shrimps, Red Fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius), Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) or Skunk Cleaner (Lysmata amboinensis), Bumble Bee Snail, Fighting Conch Snail, Cerith snails, Trochus Snails, etc.

Avoid keeping them with large and/or aggressive fish, Coral banded shrimp, most crab species, and all species of hermit crabs including; the Halloween Hermit Crab, Blue Leg Hermit Crab, etc.

Like the Astraea Turbo Snail (Lithopoma tectum); the Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus) has a ravenous appetite for algae which makes them excellent candidates for a tank clean up crew.   In the aquarium, they are great scavengers that thrive on brown algae, Green spot algae, debris, and other fish waste.

The Margarita Snail is not especially easy to keep. They are very sensitive to changes in water values, especially temperature.

In addition to pristine water quality and a constant food source, they require a water temperature between 59–68°F, calcium concentrations in the range of 400 to 450 ppm, and magnesium between 1250 and 1350. An excellent filtration system, protein skimmer, and chiller system is recommended to keep this species.

Though there have been a few reports of successfully breeding them, Margarita snails do not generally reproduce in an aquarium environment.

Males and females cannot be distinguished by size or any other external features. Margarita snails are broadcast spawners. The females do not lay eggs on the substrate; instead they release millions of ufertilized eggs (oocytes) into the water column as the males release their semen to fertilize them. Spawning lasts anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Veligers of Margarita snails hatch prior to torsion. Their shell secretion starts just before hatching. Initially, the shell is soft, flexible, and crumpled easily prior to and during torsion (72 hr) but becomes rigid soon afterward.

In an aquarium, the water clouds up until the corals and other filter feeders eat the minute eggs. Currently, no data exists on how long it takes the eggs to hatch and metamorphose into the crawling stage.

In their natural environment, the Margarita Snail feeds on macroscopic algae and detrital elements. Their primary food is diatoms but they also eat unidentified filamentous red algae, sponge spicules, filamentous brown algae, remains of hydroids, bryozoans, and filamentous green algae. In an established aquarium environment, they feed on the algae in the tank along with any leftover shrimp or fish foods, such as pills, flakes, pellets, algae/spirulina wafers, frozen foods, etc.

The Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus) is a relatively common saltwater species that can be purchased from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at reasonable prices. They are often sold online to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as members of “cleanup crews” for reef tanks. Currently, the pet industry completely depends on wild caught species.

Margarita Snail (Margarites pupillus)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Aquarium Type: Established Reef or FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Not Hardy
Water Conditions: 59–68°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.021-1.025
Max. Size: 1″
Color Form: Orange, White, Pearl-Brown, Lusterless, Pink
Diet: Omnivore/detritivore
Compatibility: Reef Compatible
Origin: Bering Sea to Southern California
Family: Margaritidae
Lifespan: 1 – 4 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis)

The West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the West Australian Mandarin Dragonet, or Occidentalis Dragonet is a rare subspecies of Synchiropus picturatus distributed from the Monte Bellos Islands northwards to the Timor Sea.

Synchiropus occidentalis‘ limited distribution Southeast of Elphik’s Knob, the northeastern end of Rosemary Island, Dampier Islands and its reclusive habits around Western Australia make sightings and captive specimens a rare event.

The West Australia dragonet is a peaceful, reclusive species that has been encountered alone, in pairs, and in at least one rare case interbreeding with Synchiropus picturatus in very shallow water no deeper than 7 feet.

The West Australia dragonet hide so deeply in the piles of rock ruble and among Acropora corals that they are seldom seen by divers or collectors, making them even a rarer aquisition by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis)

The West Australia Dragonet has an almost mustard green to orange yellow body color with large irregular dark psychedelia like spots edged in greenish blue, orange and black forming rings. They are distinguished by having numerous fine blue green to teal colored spots all over the body, including the dots within the rings, the black areas on the fins, and additional blue spots and greenish blue lines across the head.

Synchiropus occidentalis has two parallel diagonal white vertical stripes that run across each eye, similar to six-line wrasses.

West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis)

The large target patterns on the Western Australia Mandarin Dragonet are a little larger and more irregular than its Indo-Pacific counterpart; with the line work turning to squiggles and spots.

The distinctive markings on their head makes them easily distinguishable from their congeners.

Although not much is known about Synchiropus occidentalis husbandry, they should have the same basic requirements that Synchiropus picturatus receive.

A single Occidentalis Dragonet can be housed in a mature 30 gallon FOWLR or reef tank with a thick live sand substrate and plenty of active live rock for them to feed on and hide among. It is believed that in order to keep a mated pair, if one could be obtained, at least a 60 gallon capacity tank packed with plenty of mature live rock for the fish to feed on and hide among is required.

Because the West Australia Dragonet lives naturally in moderately shallow currents; they require an oversized filtration system (10 to 20 times the tank volume) to provide current flow and strong oxygenation needed in their tank. Changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month to keep Nitrate levels below 50mg/L is also recommended.

Mature live rock populated with copepods is an essential food source for Dragonets so at least 75 pounds of live rock is recommended to adequately feed a single individual.

When enough populated live rock is not provided to feed each individual, dragonets will often eat all the copepods on the rock and slowly starve to death.

The West Australia Dragonet in a FOWLR aquarium should get along well with other non aggressive species of similar size and temperament such as the Coral Beauty, Firefish, Pajama Cardinal, etc.

Because males are often slightly territorial, they should not be kept in groups with their own kind unless housed in very large tanks.

Synchiropus occidentalis are pelagic spawners that have not yet been bred in an aquarium environment, however, because they been observed interbreeding in at least one instance with Synchiropus picturatus, tropical fish keeping enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the availability of a few pairs to breed them in the same manner.

The bad news is that due to the remote collecting location of the West Australia dragonet they may well cost upwards of one thousand dollars a piece by the time the handful of specimens reach our market.

The Western Australian Mandarin Dragonet feed throughout the day on small crustaceans and benthic invertebrates that they find in the substrate. Their mixed diet includes fish eggs, harpacticoid copepods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, gammaridean amphipods, and ostracods.

In an aquarium environment with adequate amounts of copepod populated live rock the should be acclimated to eating aquarium fare such as frozen copepods, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, cyclops, live black worms, and small Mysis shrimp.   A turkey baster or syringe can be used to target feed small portions directly onto the live rock or near the fish several times a day.

Most successful tropical fish keeping enthusiasts cultivate robust populations of copepods to feed their Picturesque Dragonets by attaching a refugium to the sump in the tank. A mass of macroalgae such as chaetomorpha in the refugium allows the copepods to breed and multiply without being preyed on. Detritus and microfauna produced by the macroalgae provide shelter and food for the copepods. Robust copepod populations can also be cultivated by allowing the tank with ample live rock to mature for at least six months or so before adding fish.

The West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis) is an exceptionally rare dragonet species that is one of the hardest fish to find and catch.   They are practically never available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts due to its distribution being well outside typical collecting areas of marine ornamental fish.   The total known area of collection is only 75 miles apart which is why they are so extremely rare and expensive.

West Australia Dragonet (Synchiropus occidentalis)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon (60 gallons for pairs)
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 3″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Green, Orange,
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Monte Bellos Islands northwards to the Timor Sea
Family: Callionymidae
Lifespan: 5 – 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Picturesque Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus)

The Picturesque Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the , Picture Dragonet, Spotted Mandarin, Spotted Mandarinfish, Target Mandarin, Psychedelic Mandarinfish, and Psychedelic Fish is native to the Western Pacific Ocean throughout Philippine, South East Asian, Indonesian, and northwest Australian seas.

The Picturesque Dragonet is a shy, secretive species normally encountered alone, in pairs and occasionally in loose groups on the sandy bottoms of the shallow sheltered reefs of their range, sheltering among rubble rock below living corals at depths up to 650 feet.

The Target Mandarin is a peaceful, slow moving species that prefers faster moving water. Like the Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus), the Picturesque Dragonet has no scales. They have a thick, bitter tasting, unpleasant smelling mucous coating on their skin that protects them from predators and diseases.

Although they have a body shape that is similar to that of a goby, the Synchiropus picturatus is really a Dragonet.

Picturesque Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus)

Picturesque Dragonets are brilliantly colored with broad, depressed heads, yellow to red eyes with black pupils, and large pelvic fins (frequently mistaken for pectoral fins) that are used to “walk” on the seafloor. They have a green to brownish colored body color with several large, blue, orange, and black spots that resemble targets randomly arranged on the body. Although the dorsal fins can have broad wavy lines or “targets” on them, the pectoral, anal and part of the caudal fins are mostly transparent.

Males have a large, tall, dorsal fin and are noticeably larger than females. Females are smaller, stockier, and have a more rounded abdomen than males.

Synchiropus picturatus and the closely related Synchiropus splendidus are the only two vertebrates known to have blue cellular pigment coloring.

A single Picturesque Dragonet can be housed in a mature 30 gallon FOWLR or reef tank with a thick live sand substrate and plenty of active live rock for them to feed on and hide among. In order to keep a mated pair, at least a 60 gallon capacity tank packed with plenty of mature live rock for the fish to feed on and hide among is required.

Because the Picturesque Dragonet lives naturally in moderate currents; they require an oversized filtration system (10 to 20 times the tank volume) to provide the current flow and strong oxygenation needed in an aquarium environment. Plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month to keep Nitrate levels below 50mg/L.

Mature live rock populated with copepods is an essential food source for the Picturesque Dragonet. At least 75 pounds of live rock is recommended to adequately feed a single Dragonet.

When enough populated live rock is not provided to feed each individual, the fish will often eat all the copepods on the rock and eventually starve to death.

For that reason, adding a Target Mandarin to a new setup without an established food supply is highly discouraged.

Spotted Mandarinfish in a FOWLR aquarium usually get along well with other non aggressive species of similar size and temperament such as the Coral Beauty, Firefish, Pajama Cardinal, etc.

Because the males are slightly territorial, they should not be kept in groups with their own kind unless housed in very large tanks.

Picturesque Dragonets are pelagic spawners that have been successfully spawned in an aquarium environment. Because Synchiropus picturatus larvae are among the smallest ever recorded at hatching, they are extremely difficult to raise into adulthood.

In anticipation of the spawn, small groups of up to five male and female gobies will gather up after sunset. A single male, usually the largest in the group will pair up with an available female to spawn. Spawning pairs will rise towards the surface in close contact with each other to release clutches of 12 to 205 small, spherical, colorless, buoyant, 0.7 to 0.8 mm dia. eggs and sperm for external fertilization. The males create a funnel with their anal fin when releasing the sperm to insure successful fertilization. During the spawning ritual, males frequently mate several times during the night with multiple females, whereas the females can only spawn once per night. Because there seems to be a sexual preference by the females for larger males, the larger and stronger males mate more frequently.

Synchiropus picturatus larvae have a short incubation time and develop quickly. The clumped together egg masses slowly break apart in the water column and about 36 hours after fertilization, the eyes become pigmented and the mouth becomes developed. After 8 to 11 days the fins become developed and the tiny larvae are active and feeding. After 12 to 14 days, the juveniles look like the adults with a large head and a triangular shaped body. In 18 to 21 days, the body turns a dark orange brown color with greenish banding and the dorsal spines can be observed. The adult color pattern does not develop until the second month when the fish are 10 to 15 mm long.

Picturesque Dragonets breed throughout the year with spawning occurring at weekly intervals for several months.

In their natural habitat, Picturesque Dragonets feed throughout the day on small crustaceans and benthic invertebrates that they find in the substrate. Their mixed diet includes fish eggs, harpacticoid copepods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, gammaridean amphipods, and ostracods.

In an aquarium environment Synchiropus picturatus have specific dietary requirements which is why many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts considered them difficult to keep. Some individuals refuse to eat anything but live amphiopods and copepods but if they can be successfully acclimated to eating aquarium fare such as frozen copepods, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, cyclops, live black worms, and small mysis shrimp; the dragonets are hardy and resistant to disease. A turkey baster or syringe can be used to target feed small portions directly onto the live rock or near the fish several times a day.

Most successful tropical fish keeping enthusiasts cultivate robust populations of copepods to feed their Picturesque Dragonets by attaching a refugium to the sump in the tank. A mass of macroalgae such as chaetomorpha in the refugium allows the copepods to breed and multiply without being preyed on. Detritus and microfauna produced by the macroalgae provide shelter and food for the copepods. Robust copepod populations can also be cultivated by allowing the tank with ample live rock to mature for at least six months or so before adding fish.

The Picturesque Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus) is readily available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught and aquacultured specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers.   Prices for approximate purchase sizes Small: 1″ to 1-1/2″; Medium: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Large: 2-1/4″ to 3″ vary from $33.00 to $46.00, depending on size and seller.

Picturesque Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon (60 gallons for pairs)
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 3″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Green, Orange,
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Philippine, South East Asian, Indonesian, and northwest Australian seas.
Family: Callionymidae
Lifespan: 5 – 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Expert

The Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splen

Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)

didus) known by various names to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts such as the Mandarinfish, Mandarin, Mandarin Dragonet, Striped Mandarin Fish, Striped Dragonet, Green Mandarin, and Psychedelic Goby is native to the Western Pacific Ocean including the Coral Triangle, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Hong Kong, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Taiwan, Japan, and Palau. Its range extends from the Ryukyu Islands south to the warmer waters of southern Australia.

The Mandarin Goby can be encountered alone, in pairs, but usually in small groups spread over small areas on the silty bottoms of the protected shallow lagoons and coral reefs of their range among corals and rubble, at depths from 3 to 60 feet, where they feed on small crustaceans and other animals found in the substrate.

The Mandarin Goby is a relatively peaceful, slow moving species that prefers slow moving water. Instead of scales, they have a thick, bitter tasting, unpleasant smelling mucous coating on their skin that protects them from predators and diseases.

Although they have a body shape that is similar to that of a goby, the Mandarin Goby is really a Dragonet.

Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)

Synchiropus splendidus are brilliantly colored and have a broad, depressed head with red eyes and black pupils. They have a vibrant bright blue body color with broad, swirly, orange, red, and yellow stripes and a blueish green face with bold blue stripes. They have large pelvic fins that are often mistaken for pectoral fins, that are used for “walking” on the seafloor. Their pectoral fins are mostly transparent as are the anal fins and part of the tail. The rest of the fins are striped a vibrant orange and blue. Males are larger than females and have a large, tall, blue and orange striped dorsal fin. Synchiropus splendidus and the closely related Synchiropus picturatus are the only two vertebrates known to have a blue cellular pigment coloring.

Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)

Different varieties exhibit different markings and colors. The red mandarin is the same species but the pelvic fins, normally orange, are red. The Spotted Mandarin has black, pink, and blue spots on a light gray green body. Rare individuals have a bright red brown body color and in some extremely rare cases, the entire fish is red with black stripes.

A single Mandarin Goby can be housed in a mature 30 gallon FOWLR or reef tank with a thick live sand substrate and plenty of active live rock for them to feed on and hide among. In order to keep a mated pair, at least a 60 gallon capacity tank packed with plenty of mature live rock for the fish to feed on and hide among is required.

Mature live rock populated with copepods is an essential food source for the Mandarin Goby.   At least 75 pounds of live rock is recommended to house one Dragonet.

When enough live rock is not provided for each individual, the fish will eat all the copepods on the rock and usually starve to death.

For that reason, adding a Mandarin Goby to a new setup without an established food supply is highly discouraged.

Mandarinfish in a FOWLR aquarium usually get along well with other non aggressive species of similar size and temperament such as the Coral Beauty, Firefish, Pajama Cardinal, etc.

Because the males are highly territorial, they cannot be kept in groups with their own kind.

Although Mandarin Goby larvae are among the smallest ever recorded at hatching, they have been bred in an aquarium environment.

Mandarin Gobies are pelagic spawners. In anticipation of the spawn, small groups of up to five male and female gobies will gather up after sunset.   A single male, usually the largest in the group will pair up with an available female to spawn. Spawning pairs will rise towards the surface in close contact with each other to release clutches of 12 to 205 small, colorless, spherical and pelagic 0.7 to 0.8 mm dia. eggs and sperm for external fertilization. The males create a funnel with their anal fin when releasing the sperm to insure successful fertilization. During the spawning ritual, males frequently mate several times during the night with multiple females, whereas the females can only spawn once per night. Because there seems to be a sexual preference by the females for larger males, the larger and stronger males mate more frequently.

Synchiropus splendidus larvae have a short incubation time and develop quickly. As the clumped together egg masses slowly break apart in the water column; about 36 hours after fertilization, the eyes become pigmented and the mouth becomes developed. After 8 to 11 days the fins become developed and the tiny larvae are active and feeding. After 12 to 14 days, the juveniles look like the adults with a large head and a triangular shaped body. In 18 to 21 days, the body turns a dark orange brown color with greenish banding and the dorsal spines can be observed. The adult color pattern does not develop until the second month when the fish are 10 to 15 mm. long.

Mandarin Gobies breed throughout the year with spawning occurring at weekly intervals for several months. They can double their populations in less than 15 months.

In their natural habitat, Mandarin Gobies feed throughout the day on small crustaceans and invertebrates that they find in the substrate. They have a mixed diet that includes fish eggs, harpacticoid copepods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, gammaridean amphipods, and ostracods.

In an aquarium environment Synchiropus splendidus have specific dietary requirements which is why many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts considered them difficult to keep.    Some individuals refuse to eat anything but live amphiopods and copepods but if they can be successfully acclimated to eating aquarium fare such as frozen copepods, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and small mysis shrimp they are hardy and resistant to disease. A turkey baster or syringe can be used to target feed small portions directly onto the live rock or near the fish several times a day.

Most successful tropical fish keeping enthusiasts cultivate robust populations of copepods to feed their Mandarin Gobies by attaching a refugium to the sump in the tank. A mass of macroalgae such as chaetomorpha in the refugium allows the copepods to breed and multiply without being preyed on. Detritus and microfauna produced by the macroalgae provide shelter and food for the copepods. Robust copepod populations can also be cultivated by allowing the tank with ample live rock to mature for at least six months or so before adding fish.

The Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus) is readily available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught and aquacultured specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Prices for approximate purchase sizes Small: 1″ to 1-1/2″; Medium: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Large: 2-1/4″ to 3″ vary from $ 29.99 for small specimens to $ 39.99 for large.

Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon (60 gallons for pairs)
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 75-81° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 3.5″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific Ocean; Ryukyu Islands to southern Australia.
Family: Callionymidae
Lifespan: 5 – 20 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Expert

Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae)

The Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Caribbean Cleaner Goby or Caribbean Cleaning Goby is native to Western Atlantic waters from the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles, to the northern coast of South America, as well as the Antilles and western Caribbean.

The Sharknose Goby is a peaceful cleaner fish species that is usually encountered in pairs in the crystal clear clean water coral reefs of their range, among coral heads at depths from 3 feet to over 173 feet.

Because Elacatinus evelynae are not strong swimmers, they need textured surfaces like those on Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) heads, large polyps like the Great Star Coral (Montastraea), Mustard Hill Coral (Porites astreoides), and Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) to maintain a general position on their “cleaning stations” and endure the strong Ocean currents, tides, and swells found in their habitat.

It is crucial for the Sharknose Goby to maintain a visible position in the current so the fish that they clean ectoparasites from can easily find them.

Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae)

Similar to the Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops), the Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae) has a thin, elongated body shape with two brilliant neon blue horizontal stripes and three black horizontal stripes on the body that run to the end of the caudal fin, white to silver underneath the lower black stripes, and light pink hues around and under the gills. Above the black horizontal stripes, a bright yellow stripe on top of and in front of each eye joins to form a V at the snout. The split dorsal, rounded pectoral, anterior, and outer edge of the caudal fin are all transparent.

A single or mated pair of Sharknose Gobies can be housed in a well established community or reef tank of at least 10 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among. Excellent filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes are important to remove nitrates from the tank.

The Sharknose Goby is a peaceful species that feeds on ectoparasites that can harm other fish housed in the aquarium. They are a natural cleaner fish that seldom become aggressive with other fish, however, they are territorial and will become assertive towards their own kind unless they are a mated pair.   Elacatinus evelynae is completely reef safe and will not harm other peaceful fish, corals, or invertebrates.

Although a single Sharknose Goby can be easily housed in a 10 gallon aquarium; a tank of at least 30 gallon capacity generously decorated with mature live rock is recommended to keep mated pairs and small groups of 6 to 8 individuals.

The Caribbean Cleaning Goby has been bred in an aquarium environment, however, they do not produce eggs unless conditions are optimal.

The Sharknose Goby is a monogamous species that is usually found in pairs among coral heads.

Mated pairs aggressively protect their territory and each other from potential suitors. The males guard the eggs and chase away potential suitors while the females chase away potential female partners.

Under optimal conditions in an aquarium environment with little to no fluctuations in salinity or temperature, the female will lay 500 to 800 eggs in a small cave or crevice every 10 days or so.   The male protects and aerates the eggs until they hatch into tiny larvae which takes six to nine days at temperatures between 75 to 81 degrees F.    During this period, both parents aggressively defend the nest and eggs from intrusions.   After the larvae hatch out, the tiny larvae are usually eaten by other fish or sucked into the filter before they ever make it into adulthood.

Many successful breeders transfer the eggs or larvae into a well oxygenated 20 gallon tank and perform regular water changes as the larvae grow out.    The larvae can be fed tiny copepods or rotifers during the grow out period and will spend about 25 to 28 days as larvae until metamorphosis into identifiable Sharknose Gobies.

In their natural environment, the Sharknose Goby is a cleaner fish that feeds on ectoparasites and dead skin found on other fish species as well as sponges, coral polyps, sea squirts, zooplankton, and free living copepods.

In an aquarium environment they do well on a carnivore diet with small bits of meaty foods such as shrimp, fish, worms, and copepods found in the sand.   They will accept frozen carnivore foods, live brine shrimp and occasionally carnivore flakes or pellets as a supplement.    Feeding several times a day is recommended in a community aquarium.   If kept in a reef aquarium, the Sharknose Goby should only be fed once per day.

The Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae) is readily available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts mostly as captive bred specimens from a variety of of online retailers at a purchase size of 1″ to 2″ at current prices around $ 26.99.

Sharknose Goby (Elacatinus evelynae)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 2″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: West Atlantic, Antilles and western Caribbean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)

The Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue Neon Goby is native to the Caribbean, West Central Atlantic, and Gulf coast waters of North America; and range from southern Florida to Texas and southward to Belize.

The Neon Goby is found among the coral heads of their range alone, in pairs, and occasionally in small groups at depths from 3 to over 150 feet where they perform the function of cleaner fish to remove ectoparasites, fish slime, and scales on the skin, fins, mouths, and gill chambers of larger fish like groupers and snappers.

Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)

The Neon Goby has a thin, elongated body shape with two brilliant neon blue horizontal stripes and three black horizontal stripes on the body, white to silver underneath the lower black stripes, and light pink hues around and under the gills.   They have clear fins and a pale stripe in front of each eye that almost reaches the snout.

A single or mated pair of Neon Gobies can be housed in a community or reef nano tank of at least 10 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among.   Excellent filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes are important to remove nitrates from the tank.

The Neon Goby is a peaceful species that feeds on parasites that can harm other fish housed in the aquarium.  They are a natural cleaner fish that will generally coexist with a variety of other species and make a great addition to both community and reef tanks.

Although generally peaceful, Elacatinus oceanops can be territorial with their own kind. They are completely reef safe and will not harm other peaceful fish, corals, or invertebrates.

Although a single Blue Neon Goby can be easily housed in a nano tank; a live rock decorated tank of at least 30 gallon capacity is recommended to keep mated pairs and small groups of 6 to 8 individuals.

When housed with larger, more dominant fish species in larger tanks; Blue Neon Gobies can often be overlooked.

Ocellaris Clownfish, Firefish Gobies, Yellow Tangs, and Hippo Tangs all make good tankmates for Elacatinus oceanops.

The Neon Goby has been bred in an aquarium environment. Although they are difficult to sex; male genital papilla are pointed while the females are rounded.

The easiest way to obtain a mated pair is to purchase several individuals and let them pair off on their own.

Place the pair in at least a 20 gallon aquarium with plenty of space and live rock arranged into caves, overhangs and small crevices.

When ready to spawn, the female will lay 500 to 800 eggs in a small cave or crevice every 10 days. The male protects and aerates the eggs until they hatch into tiny larvae which takes six to nine days at temperatures between 75 to 81 degrees F. During this period, both parents aggressively defend the nest and eggs from intrusions.

Many breeders transfer the eggs or larvae into a 20 gallon tank and perform recurring water changes as the larvae grow out. They spend about 25 to 28 days as larvae until metamorphosis.

The Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) regularly interbreeds with other fish from their genus like the Yellowlined Goby (Elacatinus figaro).

The Neon Goby is a carnivore that in their natural environment is primarily a parasite picker. In an aquarium environment they can be fed small bits of meaty foods such as shrimp, fish, worms, and copepods found in the sand. They will accept frozen foods, live brine shrimp and occasionally carnivore flakes or pellets as a supplement. Feeding several times a day is recommended.

The Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is readily available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts mostly as captive bred specimens from a variety of of online retailers at a size of 1″ to 2″ at current prices from $18.99 to $23.99.

Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon nano tank
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72 – 78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.026
Max size: 2″
Color Form: Blue, Black
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: West Central Atlantic, Caribbean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Pink and Blue Shrimpgoby, Pink and Blue Spotted Goby, Singapore Shrimp Goby, Leptocephalus Prawn, Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby, Blue Prawn Goby, Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, or Leptocephalus Goby is native to the Western Pacific Ocean.

Its range extends from Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to the Yaeyama Islands, and south to northwestern Australia. More recently, specimens from Tonga have been confirmed.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby can be found on silty, sand and rubble bottoms and the sandy mud bottoms of the mangrove swamps, lagoons, coastal reefs, tide pools and inner reef flats of their range, at depths to 32 feet. Solitary individuals have been encountered in symbiotic relationships with Pistol Shrimp at depths to almost 60 feet.

Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby has a yellow, to tan, to brownish green body color that becomes almost white towards the vent and 6 to 7 diffused brownish vertical bars along the sides.   The head, back, and dorsal fins are adorned with pale-edged pink to red spots and smaller white spots surrounded by smaller blue spots. The first dorsal fin has blue edged pink, to orangish brown spots and the pectoral, fused pelvic, rear dorsal and rounded caudal fins are clear. Males and females share similar physical characteristics and are virtually indistinguishable.

Juveniles Cryptocentrus leptocephalus have subtle pink and blue colors that intensify as they mature.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is best housed in a well established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 40 gallon capacity with a deep coralline sand substrate mixed with small pieces of broken up shells and corals for them to burrow in; lots of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and plenty of free swimming space.

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus thrive with plenty of live rock, a mixed sandy substrate, moderate water flow, and a tightly sealed lid to prevent them from exiting the tank.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is not aggressive but can be territorial with members of its own species in smaller tanks.   They spend much of their time burrowing into the substrate and collecting food in the water column.

Compatible tank mates for the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby include Firefish, Cardinalfish, Dartfish, Basslets, Clownfish, and Damselfish.

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus are frequently housed with Pistol Shrimp of the Alpheus genus.   Three common types of pistol shrimp that pair readily with gobies are the Fine Striped, Tiger, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.

When keeping the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby with Pistol Shrimp, it is important to provide a deep sand bed of at least three inches mixed with plenty of broken shells and crushed coral of various sizes for the shrimp to have sufficient building material to dig a stable burrow.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby will breed in an aquarium environment but the planktonic larvae are difficult to raise into adulthood.    Recent advancements have made Pink-speckled Shrimpgobies increasingly available through aquaculture.

In their natural environment, the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby feeds on benthic organisms, small crustaceans, tiny invertebrates, and planktonic matter in the water column that passes by their burrows.    In an aquarium environment, they do well on a varied diet consisting of high quality marine pellets, frozen foods, Mysis shrimp, and live brine shrimp. Several daily feeding is recommended to ensure their health.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers or as aquacultured specimens.  Prices for small 3.5″ specimens range from $48.99 to $62.99.

Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 4.7″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Y-bar Shrimp Goby, Ninebar Prawn-goby, Bluelined Shrimp goby, Blue Fin Watchman Goby or Barred prawn-goby is widespread in the Indo-West-Pacific from East Africa to Melanesia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Its range extends throughout the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, The Red Sea, Indonesia, and Central/West Pacific.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is a shy, territorial species that is found in the clear coastal and inner reef sand slopes of their range, often in small colonies at depths from 15 to over 65 feet where they share burrows in the sandy substrate with alpheid shrimps.

Occasionally two Y-bar Shrimpgobies of each color will share a burrow with a single pistol shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby has a light gray to blackish, to yellow body color with up to nine wide brown bars along the sides, blue to bluish white streaks on the head that change into blue spots on the body, translucent dorsal fins, pelvic fins with blue spots, and a blue stripe on the anal fin.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

There is a barred variety of Cryptocentrus fasciatus with four brown saddles, white or bluish streaks on the head, plain dorsal fins, pelvic fins with blue spots, and a blue stripe on the anal fin.

There is also a dark brown body colored saddled variety marked with whitish saddles on top of the head and along the back; and small white or blue spots or streaks on the head. Males and females are visually identical.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is similar to the Yellow Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) that has a more sharply cornered dorsal fin with bluish streaks.

Both species share burrows with Alpheid shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity with a thick coralline sand substrate mixed with small shells and small pieces of broken up shells and corals for them to burrow in; some live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and plenty of free swimming space.

When keeping the Y-bar Shrimpgoby with Pistol Shrimp, it is important to provide deep sand of at least three inches and plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the shrimp has enough building material to dig a stable burrow.

Cryptocentrus fasciatus are frequently housed as mated pairs, and with Pistol Shrimp of the Alpheus genus.  Three common types of pistol shrimp pair readily with gobies; the Fine Striped, Tiger, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby can be kept with other species in large tanks but they enjoy their own territory and can be very aggressive towards approaching tankmates. They are typically peaceful with all other types of fish.

Because this species is known to jump out of open aquariums, a tightly fitting tank lid is recommended.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   Mated pairs will spawn but the fry are difficult to rear into adulthood. Mating takes place in a side corridor off the main burrow. The eggs are guarded in the side burrow by the male until they hatch out, usually at night. The tiny larvae then leave the burrow to become planktonic.

In their natural habitat, the Y-bar Shrimpgoby feeds on benthic organisms in the sea grass, small crustaceans, and planktonic matter that passes by their burrows.

In an aquarium environment they should be fed high-quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp several times a day.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Prices for small specimens range from $39.99 to $46.50.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 5.5″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Red Sea Shrimpgoby, Blue-speckled Prawn-goby, Blue-spotted Shrimpgoby, or Harlequin Shrimpgoby is found in Indo-Pacific waters from East Africa to the Marianas and north to southern Japan. Relatively recently, it has entered the Mediterranean Sea where large populations have been observed along the coast of Israel.

Before Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus was recorded in the Mediterranean; the Harlequin Prawn-goby was restricted to the Red Sea where they occur on the open coarse sandy bottoms of clear water reefs in close association with alpheid (pistol) shrimps.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is a peaceful, solitary species that inhabits the shallow clear water lagoons and coastal bays of their range.  Although they are most abundant in shallow water areas around runoffs, they have been observed at depths from 3 to over 95 feet where they feed on benthic invertebrate.

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

The Harlequin Prawn-goby has a yellow, to tan, to grayish brown body color covered with irregular shaped greenish brown bars with narrow pale white spaces in between and large black spots along the sides in a mid-lateral row.   The head has large pink spots surrounded by blue rings and both the head and body are covered with blue dots.

Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus have a frenum and united pelvioc fins.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is best housed in a 30 gallon or larger reef or FOWLR aquarium with a coarse coralline sand substrate and plenty of loose coral rubble and live rock for them to burrow and hide among, and plenty of swimming space. A tight fitting cover is recommended to prevent them from jumping out of the tank.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is seldom aggressive towards other fish species but it is territorial and will fight with conspecifics unless they are a mated pair.   Although considered reef safe, they may become aggressive towards small ornamental shrimp.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby will form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium. The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus stay close to the shrimp and warns it whenever predators come close to the burrow that they both share.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment. In the wild, mating takes place near the main burrow where the eggs are laid and guarded by the male. The eggs hatch at night and the larvae exit the burrow to become planktonic.

In an aquarium environment, mated pairs will breed readily and frequently.

After a short incubation period, the tiny larvae hatch out and can be reared similar to those of the Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus).

In their natural environment, Harlequin Prawn-goby feed on benthic invertebrates and prey suspended in the water column. In an aquarium environment they should be fed a diet of meaty foods including Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped table shrimp at least three times per day.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from a few online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Current prices vary from around $86.50 for small specimens to $152.50 for large.

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 5″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue-banded Goby is native to the cold waters off the Eastern Pacific coast of the United States, particularly on the coasts of Catalina Island and Baja Mexico. Its range extends from the islands of California to the coasts of Peru.

The Catalina Goby is found in and among the rocks of the rocky open ocean areas of their range alone, in pairs, and in small groups; often with the Catalina Zebra Goby (Lythrypnus zebra) at depths from 2 to over 250 feet. When threatened, they hide among the rocks and the spines of long spined sea urchins.

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

The Catalina Goby has a bright red body with a vivid blue mask and vertical blue stripes on the front half of its body, and a yellow tint on the tail. Males are normally larger than females and have a longer dorsal fin with black tips on the longest dorsal fin rays.

Catalina Gobies are hermaphrodites. The larger males can change their sex when needed.

A single Blue-banded Goby can be housed in a nano tank of at least 10 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among.   Filtration and water changes are important to remove nitrates from the tank.   Because of their cool water requirements; a chiller system, good protein skimmer and good filtration system is highly recommended.

Small groups of Lythrypnus dalli can be housed together in larger aquariums along with other peaceful species of the same general size and same water parameters. The Catalina Goby is not shy and can often be seen perched on the live rock guarding its territory. They are completely reef safe and will not harm other peaceful fish, corals, or invertebrates.

Blue-spotted jawfish, Hula fish, Rhino belly, Cataline Zebra Gobies and Ventralis Anthias are all good tank mates for Catalina gobies.

The Catalina Goby will breed in an aquarium environment.   Although each individual has the reproductive capabilities of both genders, they can be one gender at any given time.    When a Catalina Goby is unsuccessful trying to mate as a male, it can switch to a female.

Behavioral males are generally larger than females. When ready to breed, the behavioral male selects a cave where he can safely care for his brood, and lures a female inside.   After spawning, the female will attach her fertilized eggs onto the walls of the cave where the male cares for them until they hatch out. As the fry grow into adulthood, they pair off based on size and the larger fish in the pair becomes a male. Should any member of the pair dies, the remaining partner may change sex to initiate another pair off.

In their natural environment, the Catalina Goby feeds on the small meaty particles suspended in water, small crustaceans, and tiny herbaceous foods like seaweed. In an aquarium environment, they will accept almost any small, meaty prepared or frozen food including finely chopped Mysis shrimp, CYCLOP-EEZE®, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. They will also accept sinking pellets or flake foods when they settle into the aquarium .

The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small 1/2″ to 1″; Medium 1″ to 1-1/2″. Prices for small size specimens start at around $ $ 79.99

NOTE: This species thrives in water temperatures between 60° F and 70° F; It cannot acclimate to the warmer conditions. Although the Catalina Goby may tolerate warmer, tropical temperatures found in most reef aquariums, it will be only for a short time.   When housed in tropical temperatures for extended periods, they experience decreased resistance to disease and will ultimately die.

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon nano tank
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 60.2 – 71.6° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.5″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Eastern Pacific, Baha Mexico
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: up to 3 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue-speckled Shrimpgoby, Green shrimpgoby, Green shrimp goby, Bluespotted Shrimpgoby, or Eight-barred Shrimp-gobyGoby is found across the Indo west Pacific from East Africa to the Marianas, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

In the Western Pacific their range extends from the Andaman Sea east to Solomon Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia and New Caledonia. They are extremely common in silty shallow areas around the Tanzanian coasts.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is found in the shallow intertidal zone of the coastal bays and lagoons of their range, usually in areas around runoffs, in close association with alpheid shrimps in depths from 2 to over 50 feet.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is most commonly observed in protected shallow water areas with scattered sea grasses where they share their burrows with alpheid shrimp that they have symbiotic relationships with.

The best way to observe Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus in the wild is on a low tide in these grassy shallows.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby has a grayish brown body color with several irregular vertical greenish brown bars with narrow pale spaces in between and large black spots horizontally lined up on sides.   There are numerous blue and red to pink spots on head, sides, and lower parts of the body, and red spots on the face that form diagonal lines. Their pelvic fins are united with the presence of frenum. Males and females are indistinguishable.

Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus can easily be confused with the morphologically similar Target shrimp goby, which lives in a similar habitat.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is best housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline substrate, plenty of aged live rock and loose coral rubble for them to burrow among, and plenty of free swimming space.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby can be housed with other peaceful species, however it is territorial with its burrow and except for mated pairs, will fight with conspecifics.   In larger tanks, they are less quarrelsome.

Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus will form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium. The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. The Blue-speckled prawn-goby stays in close proximity to the shrimp and warns it whenever predators come close to the burrow that they both share.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   In the wild, mating takes place in a side corridor off the main burrow where the eggs are laid and guarded by the male. The eggs hatch at night and the larvae exit the burrow to become planktonic.

In an aquarium environment, the mated pairs will usually breed readily and frequently. After a short incubation period, the larvae should initially be fed S strain rotifers. After about fourteen days or so they should be switched over to larger L Strain rotifers, and after 28 days, they can be offered newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

In their natural environment, the Blue-speckled prawn-goby feed on benthic organisms in the sea grass and planktonic matter like Amphipods, Copepods, Daphnia salina, Invertebrates, Worms, Zoobenthos, Zooplankton that passes by their burrows.

In an aquarium environment, they can be offered meaty foods including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, frozen carnivore preparations and sinking pellet foods. They should be fed at least two times per day.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Easily confused with the Target shrimp goby, they are usually acquired on a special order basis.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 3.95″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Yellow Prawn Goby, Yellow Watchman Goby, Sulphur Goby, or Banded Prawn Goby is found in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the Central West Pacific Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Their range extends from the Yaeyama Islands, Japan to Singapore and the southern Great Barrier Reef; Palau and Truk in Micronesia.

There are currently 35 recognized species of Watchman Gobies in the genus Cryptocentrus that are generally known as Shrimp Goby or Prawn Goby, all native to the Pacific and Indian oceans, which we have listed below in alphabetical order:

Cryptocentrus albidorsus (Yanagisawa, 1978) (White-backed shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus bulbiceps (Whitley, 1953) (Bluelined shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus (Herre, 1933) (Blue-speckled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus (Rüppell, 1830) (Harlequin prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus callopterus H. M. Smith, 1945
Cryptocentrus cebuanus Herre, 1927 (Cebu shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus cinctus (Herre, 1936) (Yellow prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus (Valenciennes, 1837) (Ninebar prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus cyanospilotus G. R. Allen & J. E. Randall, 2011 (Bluespot shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus cyanotaenia (Bleeker, 1853) (Lagoon shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus diproctotaenia Bleeker, 1876
Cryptocentrus epakros G. R. Allen, 2015 (Pointedfin shrimpgoby) [1]
Cryptocentrus fasciatus (Playfair (fr), 1867) (Y-bar shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus flavus Yanagisawa, 1978
Cryptocentrus inexplicatus (Herre, 1934) (Inexplicable shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus insignitus (Whitley, 1956) (Signal goby)
Cryptocentrus leonis H. M. Smith, 1931
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus Bleeker, 1876 (Pink-speckled shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus leucostictus (Günther, 1872) (Saddled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus lutheri Klausewitz, 1960 (Luther’s prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus malindiensis (J. L. B. Smith, 1959)
Cryptocentrus maudae Fowler, 1937 (Maude’s shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus melanopus (Bleeker, 1860)
Cryptocentrus multicinctus G. R. Allen & J. E. Randall, 2011 (Multibarred shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus nigrocellatus (Yanagisawa, 1978)
Cryptocentrus niveatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Cryptocentrus octofasciatus Regan, 1908 (Blue-speckled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus pavoninoides (Bleeker, 1849)
Cryptocentrus polyophthalmus (Bleeker, 1853)
Cryptocentrus pretiosus (Rendahl (de), 1924)
Cryptocentrus shigensis N. Kuroda, 1956 (Shige shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus strigilliceps (D. S. Jordan & Seale, 1906) (Target shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus tentaculatus Hoese & Larson, 2004 (Tentacle shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus wehrlei Fowler, 1937
Cryptocentrus yatsui Tomiyama, 1936

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a shy, curious species that is found alone, in pairs, and sharing burrows with “pistol shrimps” in the sandy bottoms of the coastal reefs, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and tidal pools of their range, at depths from 3 to over 80 feet.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is a color variety of the Yellow Prawn Goby found in the Philippines that forms symbiotic relationships with alpheid shrimps; often sharing burrows with them.

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The Spotted Watchman Goby is an elongated species with large protruding eyes set high on the head, and a large turned down mouth.   Its body color can vary greatly in appearance from brilliant yellow, to gray, to a subdued brown with small iridescent blue spots that decorate the body, head, and fins in a jewel like pattern.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is believed to be sexually dichromatic. The males are a bright

yellow color and the females are grayish colored, with both having blue dots along the body.

The Spotted Watchman Goby can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline gravel substrate, plenty of live rock and loose coral rubble for them to burrow among, and plenty of swimming space. They have been known to jump from their tank so a tight fitting cover is recommended, especially for

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Pair

smaller aquariums.

The Spotted Watchman Goby or Yellow Prawn Goby is seldom aggressive towards other peaceful species, however it is territorial with its burrow and except for mated pairs, will fight with its own kind. In larger tanks, they are less quarrelsome with conspecifics.

The Spotted Watchman Goby will often form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium and share the same burrow.   The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. The watchman goby warns the shrimp when predators are close and in turn uses the shrimps burrow as a shelter.

Cryptocentrus cinctus have been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   Mated pairs breed readily and frequently. The tiny eggs hatch out after only four days of incubation.   Initially they should be fed S strain rotifers.   After about fourteen days they should be switched over to L Strain rotifers and after 28 days, they can be offered newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is a carnivore that will accept most meaty foods including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, frozen carnivore preparations and sinking pellet foods. They should be fed at least two times per day.

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught or commercially bred specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3″ to 4″. Prices for medium size specimens start at around $ 39.99.

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

The Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Citron Clown Goby, Clown Goby, Citron Goby, Poison Goby, or Yellow Coral Goby is native to the Indian Ocean.

In the Indo-West Pacific, their range extends from the Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique on the coast of Africa and east to Samoa, north to southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Gobiodon citrinus are common among the coral reefs of Sri Lanka and the Coral Sea.

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a reef dwelling species that inhabits the coral rich areas of the lagoons and outer reefs of their range where they live among the branches of stony corals at depths from 3 to over 65 feet.

Gobiodon citrinus are frequently observed sitting alone or in pairs among the branches of Acropora corals and are believed to have a loose symbiotic relationship with them by controlling detrimental pests like Acropora eating flatworms, which can adversely affect the health of the corals.    In the wild, they lay their eggs on the undersides of Acropora coral branches which causes some tissue recession on the corals.

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a peaceful species that has a variable body color from bright yellow, to yellowish green, to an almost black dark brown with two vertical blue lines through the eyes and another two behind the head at the gills, and a horizontal blue line that runs along the base of the dorsal fin. They have a small dark spot on the upper pectoral base. Males and females are indistinguishable and produce a toxic mucus.

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a hardy species that can adapt to a variety of tank conditions however they are best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 20 gallon capacity, with a sandy or fine gravel substrate, plenty of aged live rock for them to hide and graze upon and stable water conditions.

Although the Citrinis Clown Goby is considered reef safe, they may nip at the polyps or bases of Acropora sp. and potentially other SPS corals.  In a large reef aquarium heavily stocked with colonies of polyp corals and other soft corals, the Citrinis Clown Goby usually presents no problem as they enjoy swimming and hiding amongst the polyps.

Gobiodon citrinus are rarely aggressive towards other fish species but will fight with its on kind in smaller tanks. They trive when housed with other peaceful species or in small groups in large established reef aquariums.

Citrinus Clown Gobies readily spawn in an aquarium environment when kept in a pair or in small groups. The female lays her eggs in a crevice or on the underside of a coral branch where the male guards them until they hatch out. Because of their small size and specific feeding requirements, the tiny planktonic larvae are extremely difficult to raise into adulthood.

In their natural habitat, Citrinus Clown Gobies feed on mucous polyps of Acropora sp., flatworms, small invertebrates, and zooplankton. In a mature aquarium environment with plenty of live rock, they will eagerly consume a variety of live and frozen foods including brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, chopped table shrimp, and commercially prepared frozen carnivore foods.

The Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1/4″ to 3/4″; Medium: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″ ; Large: 1-1/4″ to 2″. Prices for medium size Sri Lanka specimens range from $43.99 to $ 69.99.

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful to Midly Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-79° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.6″
Color Form: Blue, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Scrawled Butterflyfish or Maypole Butterflyfish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are found along the eastern coast of Africa from Somalia to Durban, and across the Indian and Pacific Oceans as far east as the Line Islands and Hawaii. Their range extends north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Tonga.   Specimens have also been recorded around Micronesia, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and the Revillagigedo Islands of Mexico in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are obligate corrallivores that are mostly encountered in pairs in the clear lagoons and seaward reefs of their range among rich growths of Acropora corals at depths between 6 to over 80 feet. The shy and more solitary juvenile Meyer’s Butterflyfish can normally be found sheltering among branching Acropora corals in shallower depths.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are closely related to the Mailed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon reticulatus) and the Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus).

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Meyer’s Butterflyfish have a bluish white to off white body color with black diagonal bars along the flanks that curve towards the rear and yellow edged black bars that run through the eye, on the snout, and around the mouth. The pectoral fins are yellow, and the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are edged in yellow and black.

Maypole Butterflyfish CAN be housed in an aged FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among and a lot of free swimming space.

However, because live corals are essential to the survival of this species, they are BEST housed in a large reef tank heavily populated with Acropora corals. Obviously, extensive destruction of corals can be expected if a substitute food source is not accepted.

Because they are shy, peaceful, and territorial in their natural habitat; Scrawled Butterflyfish are best housed singly or as pairs. They will stake out a large territory in the tank and usually become aggressive towards members of their own species as well as other tankmates for food.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment. They are oviparous and breed in pairs.

In their natural habitat, Chaetodon meyeri feed exclusively on Acropora coral mucus and the polyps, which makes them extremely difficult to acclimate into an aquarium environment. Adults are usually reluctant to accept substitutes for stony corals however juveniles may accept vitamin enriched live brine shrimp, clams, or mashed up shrimp and squid pushed into a bleached stony coral skeleton.

After they begin feeding they will usually eat a varied diet of Mysis shrimp, crustacean flesh, and frozen carnivore preparations. Feeding 3 or more times a day is recommended.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri) are available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes from the Indian Ocean: Small: 1″ to 1.5″ $89.99; Medium: over 1.5″ to 3.5″ $99.99; Large: over 3.5″to 5.5″ $109.99.

Prices vary widely according to size and area of collection.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 7.9″
Color Form: White, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Experienced

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) Pair

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus), known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Fourspotted Butterflyfish or Four-spot Butterfly is found in Australia, Indonesia, and the East and Central/West Pacific Oceans.

Their range extends from the Ryukyus, Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands and Taiwan, to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Pitcairn islands; south to the Samoan and Austral Islands; and in Micronesia, the Marshalls and Marianas.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade.   They are a shy, peaceful, benthopelagic species that are normally encountered as solitary specimens except during the breeding season when they are found in pairs, almost exclusively along the exposed seaward reefs of their range, at depths to 150 feet where they feed on coral polyps, algae, small crustaceans, zooplankton, and other invertebrates.

Although Chaetodon quadrimaculatus have been encountered at depths of over 100 feet, they are more commonly found feeding on Pocillopora coral polyps in shallower depths from 6 to around 50 feet.

Although closely related to the Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus), Fourspot Butterflyfish bear little resemblance to them visually.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)

Fourspot Butterflyfish have a yellow body color and a black back with two white spots on each side. They have a yellow mouth, a vertical brownish yellow eye band edged with thin black and white bands, and yellow dorsal, anal, pelvic, and caudal fins. There are no obvious physical differences between males and females.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 120 gallon capacity with a sand or coralline substrate, sufficient live rock covered with micro and macroalgae growths arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Because their primary diet consists of LPS, SPS, soft corals, crustaceans, and tubeworms; Chaetodon quadrimaculatus are not considered reef safe and are unsuitable for most reef aquariums.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are generally shy and peaceful, but can become territorial with conspecifics or similarly colored species, especially when their tank is to small.   Multiple specimens can be added simultaneously to large aquariums.

Fourspot Butterflyfish do best in an aged FOWLR tank as a pair, or with other non aggressive species such as Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish, Royal Gramma, Dottybacks, etc.

Like other butterflyfish species, they require a well maintained aquarium to remain healthy.   A good filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker along with regular water changes are mandatory.

The Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) has not been bred in an aquarium environment. They are egg scatterers that breed in monogamous pairs. When ready to spawn, the female releases her eggs into the water column where the male simultaneously fertilizes them. In a day or so, the small buoyant eggs hatch out into pelagic tholichthys larvae that float among the plankton field and ultimately settle directly on the coral reefs where they are protected until they develop into juveniles. This pelagic phase makes it extremely difficult to breed them in aquariums.

In their natural environment, Fourspot Butterflyfish feed primarily on cauliflower coral polyps, LPS, SPS, soft corals, a variety of macro and micro algae, zooplankton, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. In an aquarium environment they tend to be shy and are often reluctant to feed until acclimated.

Live foods, live rock encrusted with invertebrates and algae, and lush growths of filamentous algae are a big plus in acclimating this species to get a feeding response.

Once eating, they will eat a variety of meaty and algae based preparations including fresh chopped fish flesh, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, frozen omnivore preparations, etc. A varied diet should be fed a minimum of 3 times per day to keep them healthy.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade however, they are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Hawaiin Small: 1.5″to 2″ $54.99; Medium: over 2″ to 3″ $64.99; Large: over 3″ to 4.5″ $89.99.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 78°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6.3″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)

Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Citron Butterflyfish or Lemon Butterflyfish are found throughout the Indo Pacific.   Its range extends from the Red Sea, East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands; north to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands; and south to New South Wales (Australia) and Lord Howe Island.

Adult Speckled Butterflyfish are normally seen swimming in pairs among scattered corals in relatively open areas of the lagoons, exposed shallow reef flats, and seaward reefs of their range in depths from 3 to 35 feet feeding on filamentous algae, coral polyps, small worms, and benthic invertebrates.   Although they have been reported grazing on sponges, crustaceans, anemones, urchin feet, soft and stony coral polyps, and other small invertebrates as deep as 120 feet, they are most often encountered in shallower depths as pairs or in small groups.

Juvenile Speckled Butterflyfish are frequently observed in small mixed aggregations of similar sized juveniles, especially Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii).

Although closely related to the Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus), they bear little resemblance visually.

Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)

Speckled Butterflyfish have a white to pale yellow oval shaped body covered with numerous small black dots. The head has a vertical black band that extends through the eye and the fins are mostly transparent, with a black margin along the anal fin. There are no obvious physical differences between males and females.

Speckled Butterflyfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 75 gallon capacity with a

Juvenile Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)

sand or coralline substrate, sufficient live rock covered with micro and macroalgae growths arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Although many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts use Speckled Butterflyfish to eradicate infestations of glass anemones; their diet of soft and stony coral polyps, anemones, urchin feet, and small invertebrates makes them unsuitable for most reef aquariums.

Chaetodon citrinellus are peaceful and get along well with other peaceful species such as Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish, Royal Gramma, Dottybacks, and other non-aggressive species.

Speckled Butterflyfish are susceptible to various diseases and require a well maintained aquarium to remain healthy. A good filtration system, protein skimmer, power head or wave maker, and regular water changes are mandatory.

Other than the fact that Speckled Butterflyfish are egg scatters that form distinct pairs, little is know of their breeding habits.

In their natural habitat, Citron Butterflyfish feed on sponges, crustaceans, anemones, urchin feet, soft and stony coral polyps, and other small invertebrates.   In an aquarium environment with mature growths of micro and macroalgae, they are excellent browsers of filamentous algae and glass anemone.   They should also be offered a varied diet of flake foods containing Spirulina, Nori, live fortified brine shrimp, black worms, and frozen meaty seafoods containing Mysis, shrimp, clams, etc. several times a day.

Adult Citron Butterflyfish are often finicky eaters. Clams or mussels on the half shell placed in the tank will often entice them to begin feeding until they grow accustomed to frozen Mysis and brine shrimp.

The Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1.5″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3″ to 4-1/2″. Prices for small specimens start at around $19.99, to $69.99 for Large specimens.

Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.026
Max size: 5.1″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific, Hawaii, Africa
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Black-backed Butterflyfish, Melannotus Butterflyfish or Blackback Butterflyfish is widespread through the Indo-Pacific region. It’s range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, northward to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island, and throughout Micronesia.

The Black Back Butterflyfish is an oviparous reef dwelling species that are normally encountered alone and (during the spring and early summer breeding season) in pairs, among dense thickets of staghorn corals of the seaward reefs, lagoons, and reef flats of their range, at depths from 9 to over 65 feet, where they are often observed feeding on soft and hard corals.

Although adult Black Back Butterflyfish are seldom seen on the exposed parts of the reefs, they occasionally team up with Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Trifaciatus) to feed across the reef in small groups.   Juveniles are commonly seen in pairs and in small schools grazing on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps closer inshore.

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

Black Back Butterflyfish, known as Melannotus Butterflyfish, have a white body color with a black back and oblique black lines along the sides, a yellow face with a vertical black eye band, and yellow fins. There is a black spot just in front of the anal fin on the lower body and a black patch on the caudal peduncle.

Chaetodon melannotus have the ability to change color when encountered at night or when frightened.   Except for two white patches,

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

the upper portion of their body turns black.

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) appears to be a close relative of the Spot-tailed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellicaudus) and somewhat less so to the Yellow-dotted Butterflyfish (Chaetodon selene).   All are oval shaped, silvery with ascending diagonal stripes, have yellow fins and snouts, and are common among dense growths of staghorn corals.

Black Back Butterflyfish are best housed in an established FOWLR aquarium of at least 120 gallon capacity with a coralline or sandy substrate, sufficient mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Because of their specialized diet of coral polyps, this species is not considered reef safe.

Chaetodon melannotus are peaceful and get along well with other non aggressive species like Clownfish (Ocellaris Clownfish), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Orchid Dottybacks (Pseudochromis fridmani), and Dwarf Angelfish.

Although the Black Back Butterflyfish is generally peaceful, they can exhibit territorial behavior towards conspecifics or similar looking species, especially in smaller systems. Only one should be kept per tank unless a proven pair can be obtained.

Black Back Butterflyfish have not been successfully bred in a home aquarium environment.

Chaetodon melannotus are shy and solitary except during the spring and early summer breeding season when water temperatures warm up to the 82 to 84 F. range. They are egg scatters that form distinct pairs. When the female swells up with eggs, a brief spawning ritual takes place and she scatters her small, buoyant, spherical eggs into the water column with the male immediately fertilizing the eggs.

The buoyant eggs hatch out in 28 to 30 hours into pelagic tholichthys larvae that float among the plankton field for quite some time until they develop into juveniles. The hatched eggs develop a bony plate over the head area that protects them as larvae. This pelagic phase makes it extremely difficult to breed them in aquariums.

In their natural environment, Melannotus Butterflyfish feed primarily on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps, tubeworms, and occasionally small invertebrates. In an aquarium environment they will eat a variety of meaty preparations including fresh marine fish, Mysis shrimp, crustacean flesh, brine shrimp, and frozen carnivore preparations. A varied diet should be fed a minimum of 3 times per day to keep them healthy.

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″. Small specimens start at around $ 49.99.

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 20 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate