Coral Reef

Goby

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Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon histrio)

Pro

Pro

Description

The Green Clown Goby is a small, vibrant reef fish with a neon green body and electric blue-orange markings around its face. Peaceful and full of personality, it’s popular in nano reef tanks and often perches among coral branches.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate Care

Region

Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon histrio)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Low space needs and hardy once settled, but requires coral-friendly environments and stress-free tankmates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs, though some captive-bred options are now available.

Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, especially reefs around Indonesia, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef. Typically found hiding within staghorn (Acropora) coral colonies.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Bright lime green body with contrasting facial stripes in orange, blue, or red. Its comical “perching” posture and blinking expressions make it a favorite for nano reef hobbyists. Often hovers or rests on corals like a watchful sentinel.

Purpose
Ideal for adding color and movement to the upper reef zones. Known to “host” branching SPS corals without significant damage, making it a functional ornamental species.

Importance
A staple for nano and pico reef tanks. Offers a compact reef-safe choice that blends into coral setups and behaves in ways that enhance tank dynamics.

Included Resources
Requires established reef conditions: stable salinity, moderate to strong lighting (for corals), and flow to match SPS needs. Needs small caves, coral frags, and perch points. Protein skimmer and reef-ready filtration preferred.

Best Use Cases
Thrives in coral-heavy nano reefs (10–30 gal). Best in tanks with Acropora or artificial branches for perching. Can also live in larger reef displays with peaceful tankmates.

Conservation Context
Wild collection can disrupt Acropora coral systems, especially if handled poorly. Prioritize captive-bred individuals when possible to reduce reef impact.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Sexy shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
• Peaceful gobies and blennies
• Clownfish (in large tanks)
• Small wrasses (e.g., Pink-Streaked)
• Reef-safe snails and hermits

Region (A)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia – Coral Triangle region)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -18.2871° S
• Longitude: 147.6992° E
(Great Barrier Reef, Australia)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon histrio)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Low space needs and hardy once settled, but requires coral-friendly environments and stress-free tankmates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs, though some captive-bred options are now available.

Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, especially reefs around Indonesia, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef. Typically found hiding within staghorn (Acropora) coral colonies.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Bright lime green body with contrasting facial stripes in orange, blue, or red. Its comical “perching” posture and blinking expressions make it a favorite for nano reef hobbyists. Often hovers or rests on corals like a watchful sentinel.

Purpose
Ideal for adding color and movement to the upper reef zones. Known to “host” branching SPS corals without significant damage, making it a functional ornamental species.

Importance
A staple for nano and pico reef tanks. Offers a compact reef-safe choice that blends into coral setups and behaves in ways that enhance tank dynamics.

Included Resources
Requires established reef conditions: stable salinity, moderate to strong lighting (for corals), and flow to match SPS needs. Needs small caves, coral frags, and perch points. Protein skimmer and reef-ready filtration preferred.

Best Use Cases
Thrives in coral-heavy nano reefs (10–30 gal). Best in tanks with Acropora or artificial branches for perching. Can also live in larger reef displays with peaceful tankmates.

Conservation Context
Wild collection can disrupt Acropora coral systems, especially if handled poorly. Prioritize captive-bred individuals when possible to reduce reef impact.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Sexy shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
• Peaceful gobies and blennies
• Clownfish (in large tanks)
• Small wrasses (e.g., Pink-Streaked)
• Reef-safe snails and hermits

Region (A)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia – Coral Triangle region)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -18.2871° S
• Longitude: 147.6992° E
(Great Barrier Reef, Australia)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon histrio)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Low space needs and hardy once settled, but requires coral-friendly environments and stress-free tankmates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs, though some captive-bred options are now available.

Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, especially reefs around Indonesia, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef. Typically found hiding within staghorn (Acropora) coral colonies.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Bright lime green body with contrasting facial stripes in orange, blue, or red. Its comical “perching” posture and blinking expressions make it a favorite for nano reef hobbyists. Often hovers or rests on corals like a watchful sentinel.

Purpose
Ideal for adding color and movement to the upper reef zones. Known to “host” branching SPS corals without significant damage, making it a functional ornamental species.

Importance
A staple for nano and pico reef tanks. Offers a compact reef-safe choice that blends into coral setups and behaves in ways that enhance tank dynamics.

Included Resources
Requires established reef conditions: stable salinity, moderate to strong lighting (for corals), and flow to match SPS needs. Needs small caves, coral frags, and perch points. Protein skimmer and reef-ready filtration preferred.

Best Use Cases
Thrives in coral-heavy nano reefs (10–30 gal). Best in tanks with Acropora or artificial branches for perching. Can also live in larger reef displays with peaceful tankmates.

Conservation Context
Wild collection can disrupt Acropora coral systems, especially if handled poorly. Prioritize captive-bred individuals when possible to reduce reef impact.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Sexy shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
• Peaceful gobies and blennies
• Clownfish (in large tanks)
• Small wrasses (e.g., Pink-Streaked)
• Reef-safe snails and hermits

Region (A)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia – Coral Triangle region)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -18.2871° S
• Longitude: 147.6992° E
(Great Barrier Reef, Australia)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon histrio)

Region

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