Neon goby size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 5 cm. Record sizes among the 75 Gobiidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Creamback Dwarfgoby) to 55.3 cm (Violet Goby).

Neon goby tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 50 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Neon goby water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Gobiidae on LumaReef need (22–27 °C).

Neon goby tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 86 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Springer's damselfish, Yasha goby, and High-fin shrimpgoby.

Neon goby depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 45 m down. Close to most Gobiidae on LumaReef (2–30 m).

ReefIn the market200 coinsCommon

Neon goby

Elacatinus oceanops

It perches on a coral head and opens a cleaning station there.

The Neon goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is a subtropical marine fish of the family Gobiidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 45 m deep. Adults grow to about 5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 50 cm long and water at 22–26 °C.

Size: 5 cm
Smallest tank: 50 cm
Temperature: 22–26 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–26 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres13 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres36 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres60 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres130 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres240 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres288 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along86 species

and 62 more species

Caution2 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together11 species

Aggressive with peaceful

These two do not get along

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Subtropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m45 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderGobiiformes
FamilyGobiidae
GenusElacatinus
SpeciesElacatinus oceanops
Described byJordan, 1904

In other languages

Spanish: Gobio neón
Turkish: Neon kaya balığı
Chinese: 虹鮈鰕虎魚

Quick answers

Neon goby size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 5 cm. Record sizes among the 75 Gobiidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Creamback Dwarfgoby) to 55.3 cm (Violet Goby).
Neon goby tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 50 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Neon goby water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Gobiidae on LumaReef need (22–27 °C).
Neon goby tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 86 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Springer's damselfish, Yasha goby, and High-fin shrimpgoby.
Neon goby: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Neon goby and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Neon goby depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 45 m down. Close to most Gobiidae on LumaReef (2–30 m).