Coral Reef

Goby

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Yellow Neon Goby (Elacatinus figaro)

Pro

Pro

Description

A small, strikingly colored goby with a neon yellow stripe along its jet-black body. Known for its cleaning behavior and peaceful temperament, it thrives in nano and community reef setups, offering both beauty and biological utility.

Difficulty Level

Beginner Friendly

Region

Yellow Neon Goby (Elacatinus figaro)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very hardy, small bio-load, and adapts well to a range of reef setups and tank sizes.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Some captive-bred options are available. Wild populations in Brazil are small and impacted by collection—choose tank-bred when possible.

Origin
Native to the western Atlantic coast of Brazil, particularly around coral and sponge reefs in shallow coastal zones.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Its vivid neon yellow stripe glows against a black body, giving it standout appeal in any reef tank. A known cleaner species, it picks parasites off larger fish and will often set up "cleaning stations" in aquaria. Its hovering swim style and boldness make it a delightful display even in nano tanks.

Purpose
Functions as a cleaner goby in marine systems. Helps reduce parasite loads, adds motion and visual contrast to reef aquascapes, and adapts well to solo or pair setups.

Importance
Excellent for beginners in saltwater. Their cleaning role provides natural interaction with other fish, and their compact size makes them perfect for nano and micro reef tanks.

Included Resources
Thrives in reef-safe environments with moderate flow, live rock, and clean water conditions. Minimal aquascaping needs. Protein skimmer optional but helpful. Accepts small caves or ledges for resting.

Best Use Cases
Perfect for nano reefs, community reef tanks, and peaceful marine setups. Can also be used in quarantine systems as a biological cleaner.

Conservation Context
Endemic to Brazil and previously threatened by overcollection. Captive breeding efforts have reduced pressure on wild stocks—always choose aquacultured individuals when available.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Clownfish
• Peaceful wrasses
• Royal grammas
• Small gobies and blennies
• Reef-safe invertebrates

Region (A)
• Latitude: -12.9711° S
• Longitude: -38.5108° W
(Coastal Bahia, Brazil)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.0476° S
• Longitude: -34.8770° W
(Recife, Brazil)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Yellow Neon Goby (Elacatinus figaro)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very hardy, small bio-load, and adapts well to a range of reef setups and tank sizes.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Some captive-bred options are available. Wild populations in Brazil are small and impacted by collection—choose tank-bred when possible.

Origin
Native to the western Atlantic coast of Brazil, particularly around coral and sponge reefs in shallow coastal zones.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Its vivid neon yellow stripe glows against a black body, giving it standout appeal in any reef tank. A known cleaner species, it picks parasites off larger fish and will often set up "cleaning stations" in aquaria. Its hovering swim style and boldness make it a delightful display even in nano tanks.

Purpose
Functions as a cleaner goby in marine systems. Helps reduce parasite loads, adds motion and visual contrast to reef aquascapes, and adapts well to solo or pair setups.

Importance
Excellent for beginners in saltwater. Their cleaning role provides natural interaction with other fish, and their compact size makes them perfect for nano and micro reef tanks.

Included Resources
Thrives in reef-safe environments with moderate flow, live rock, and clean water conditions. Minimal aquascaping needs. Protein skimmer optional but helpful. Accepts small caves or ledges for resting.

Best Use Cases
Perfect for nano reefs, community reef tanks, and peaceful marine setups. Can also be used in quarantine systems as a biological cleaner.

Conservation Context
Endemic to Brazil and previously threatened by overcollection. Captive breeding efforts have reduced pressure on wild stocks—always choose aquacultured individuals when available.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Clownfish
• Peaceful wrasses
• Royal grammas
• Small gobies and blennies
• Reef-safe invertebrates

Region (A)
• Latitude: -12.9711° S
• Longitude: -38.5108° W
(Coastal Bahia, Brazil)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.0476° S
• Longitude: -34.8770° W
(Recife, Brazil)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Yellow Neon Goby (Elacatinus figaro)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very hardy, small bio-load, and adapts well to a range of reef setups and tank sizes.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Some captive-bred options are available. Wild populations in Brazil are small and impacted by collection—choose tank-bred when possible.

Origin
Native to the western Atlantic coast of Brazil, particularly around coral and sponge reefs in shallow coastal zones.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Its vivid neon yellow stripe glows against a black body, giving it standout appeal in any reef tank. A known cleaner species, it picks parasites off larger fish and will often set up "cleaning stations" in aquaria. Its hovering swim style and boldness make it a delightful display even in nano tanks.

Purpose
Functions as a cleaner goby in marine systems. Helps reduce parasite loads, adds motion and visual contrast to reef aquascapes, and adapts well to solo or pair setups.

Importance
Excellent for beginners in saltwater. Their cleaning role provides natural interaction with other fish, and their compact size makes them perfect for nano and micro reef tanks.

Included Resources
Thrives in reef-safe environments with moderate flow, live rock, and clean water conditions. Minimal aquascaping needs. Protein skimmer optional but helpful. Accepts small caves or ledges for resting.

Best Use Cases
Perfect for nano reefs, community reef tanks, and peaceful marine setups. Can also be used in quarantine systems as a biological cleaner.

Conservation Context
Endemic to Brazil and previously threatened by overcollection. Captive breeding efforts have reduced pressure on wild stocks—always choose aquacultured individuals when available.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Clownfish
• Peaceful wrasses
• Royal grammas
• Small gobies and blennies
• Reef-safe invertebrates

Region (A)
• Latitude: -12.9711° S
• Longitude: -38.5108° W
(Coastal Bahia, Brazil)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.0476° S
• Longitude: -34.8770° W
(Recife, Brazil)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Yellow Neon Goby (Elacatinus figaro)

Region

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