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Fish Profiles | Shark Nose Goby
Fish Profiles | Shark Nose Goby
The shark nose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) also known as the cleaner goby is native to the western Atlantic Ocean from the Bahamas and the lesser Antilles to then the northern coast of America.
This fish inhabits coral reefs in clear ocean water at a depth of 1-53m, where temperature is reported to be around 22-27°C (72 to 81°F). Sharknose Goby fish are carnivorous will eat various meaty foods like frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. Be sure that it is not out-competed for food if kept with more aggressive tank mates.
Sharknose Goby are beautiful, popular community marine fish primarily because of how they nip ice cysts of other fish, and can even remove the viral infection called lymphocystis. This species is a great addition to a reef tank for parasite control.
The sharknose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) is a small, vibrant fish that makes a great addition to reef aquariums. Here’s how to care for one:
Tank Requirements
Minimum tank size: 10 gallons / 45 litres
Temperature: 24-28°C
Salinity: 1.020-1.025
pH: 8.1-8.4
Substrate: Fine sand or coralline gravel
Live rock: Provide caves and crevices for hiding
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous: Shark Nose Gobies eat small crustaceans and parasites in the wild. They will eat finely chopped seafood, frozen foods, and commercial marine omnivore preparations in aquaria, once or twice a day.
Behaviour & Compatibility
Shark Nose Gobies are peaceful and can be kept with a variety of tank mates. They are reef-safe, so won’t harm corals or invertebrates. These fish are symbiotic cleaners, removing parasites from other fish. Best kept in pairs, but can be territorial toward its own kind.
Breeding in Captivity
Breeding is done in monogamous pairs. They will lay eggs in crevices or under overhangs. Breeding requires a separate grow-out tank with copepods or rotifers for feeding. It can take up to 30 days for larvae to develop into juvenile gobies.
Is a Sharknose Goby the same as a Neon Goby?
The Sharknose Goby is very similar in size, colour and temperament to its more well known cousin, the Blue Neon Goby. What sets this fish apart is the yellow striping that begins at its nose and continues down either side of its body below its blue stripe, whereas the neon goby typically has just a solid blue stripe (above).
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Photo credit(s): Shutterstock / Canva Pro Licence
