Quick picks by goal
The best goby depends on your tank size and what you want from the fish. These are commonly recommended choices:
- Best overall for many reefs: yellow watchman goby, hardy and peaceful, known for pairing with pistol shrimp.
- Best for sand sifting: diamond goby and similar Valenciennea species, in larger tanks with a deep, fine sand bed.
- Best for nano tanks: small Elacatinus species such as the greenbanded goby, which stays small.
- Best showpiece for a shrimp pair: Stonogobiops species such as the yasha goby.
Yellow watchman goby
The yellow watchman goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is often recommended as a first goby. It is generally peaceful, readily takes meaty prepared foods, and spends much of its time perched near a burrow entrance. It is also a classic partner for a pistol shrimp, which digs and maintains the burrow while the goby acts as lookout. Like many gobies, it can jump, so use a tight lid.
Sand-sifting gobies
Diamond gobies and related species (Valenciennea) are known for taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting out food. They can help keep the surface of a sand bed looking clean, but they have some caveats:
- They need a decent-sized tank and a sand bed with a fine grain. Coarse sand is harder for them to sift.
- They may dump sand on low corals, so place corals with this in mind.
- They are known jumpers.
- Some hobbyists report that they do poorly in very clean or new tanks, where there is not enough natural food. Offering supplemental meaty foods is often suggested.
Small gobies for nano tanks
Small Elacatinus (clown or neon) gobies are active, peaceful and generally suited to small tanks of 10 gallons or more. They are often kept in groups or pairs, depending on species. Some species also act as cleaners for other fish, and many are available captive-bred.
Can you have two gobies in a tank?
It depends on the species and the tank. Some gobies, such as certain watchman or clown gobies, may be kept as a bonded pair or in a group when added together, while others fight with their own kind. Sand-sifting gobies may also be aggressive toward each other in smaller tanks. If you want two, buy a confirmed pair or add them together and give them separate rockwork. A larger tank makes this safer.
Which goby pairs with a shrimp?
Watchman gobies (Cryptocentrus species) and Stonogobiops gobies such as the yasha goby are the best known partners for pistol shrimp (often Alpheus species). Not every goby and shrimp will bond, so it helps to buy species known to pair and be prepared for the shrimp to rearrange your sand.
Can I keep a yellow watchman goby in a 20 gallon tank?
Many hobbyists keep a single watchman goby in 20 gallons or more, and some retailers list that as a minimum. Because it is a small fish with modest activity, it can fit in smaller tanks, but you will need to consider the other fish, the shrimp if you add one, and the available rock and sand. A larger tank gives more flexibility.
Care tips
- Use a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping.
- Provide caves and rock structure for hiding.
- Feed meaty foods such as mysis or other frozen foods.
- Quarantine new fish. See saltwater fish care.
- Check that tank mates are peaceful. Our guide to compatible reef fish can help.
For more ideas about peaceful reef choices, see reef safe saltwater fish and the best saltwater community fish.