Black Clown Goby - Gobiodon sp.

These tiny gobies are usually found in yellow or green, but varieties like this Black Clown Goby are becoming more common.

Gobies from the genuses Gobiodon and Paragobiodon are known commonly as the Clown Gobies or sometimes "coral gobies" for their habit of perching on, in or around stony coral colonies. They are tiny fish; most are under 1.5" in length with the largest in the grouping being the Citron Goby (G. citrinus) at 2.5". These fish have a variety of colors and patterns but all have a blunt, rounded head and the pectoral fins form a suction-cup-like disc to help the fish perch on surfaces.

These gobies are ideal for reef aquariums, but can also be kept in peaceful community aquariums, as long as they have plenty of hiding places. Clown gobies may fight amongst themselves for territory but can be kept with other peaceful fish. They do best on a diet of small frozen meaty foods like brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. They may also feed on the slime from some corals but generally do not harm the coral. Avoid keeping with large fish that may prey on the gobies.