Description:
The Citron Clown goby is commonly found in the reefs of Sri Lanka and the Coral Sea. These little members of the Gobiidae family are often found perched among the soft and hard corals of the reef. They have a big head and a small body. They are yellow to dark yellow in color with vibrant, neon blue stripes around their eyes and gills. They also have a blue line that runs along their dorsal fin. A Citron Clown goby can reach up to 2 inches in length and requires an aquarium of at least 10 gallons with a soft, fine substrate to burrow in.
Diet:
Citron Clown gobies are carnivorous. They are also known to feed on the flesh and polyps of Acropora corals. While this won’t kill a large colony, they could really damage a small frag of Acropora. So, they are reef safe, but with caution. They will accept pellet or flake foods sometimes, but for good nutrition, they need small meaty meals like Mysis shrimp, phytoplankton, copepods, and/or prepared or frozen offerings designed for carnivores.
Behavior:
As stated earlier, a Citron Clown goby can reach up to 2 inches and requires an aquarium of at least 10 gallons. In addition to its striking coloration, the Citron Clown goby is also known to be a sweet-tempered fish with lots of personality. They can become territorial with other Citron gobies. When you first add a new goby to your tank, expect it to hide out for a few days. When startled, a Citron Clown goby will dart to a safe place and hide until the coast is clear. This safe place could be a small cave or a tight area behind something - coral, a heater, etc. It’s a good idea to make sure your tank has some rockwork so your Citron Clown goby has a few options for places to hide. After this goby gets comfortable in your tank, you will see them perched on a coral that branches or anything that sticks out like a ledge. They enjoy perching and observing. If you intend to keep fish - especially a goby, a netted lid is recommended.