Neon Goby Fish

Photo of Goby	Water Type: Saltwater Color: Dark gray (black) with white

When you want a range of sizes in your reef or saltwater aquarium, one of the more popular and entertaining choices, is a neon goby. These are a very small, slender fish that usually doesn't exceed 1-2 inches in length, although in their natural habitat of the tropical western Atlantic, including off Florida and the shores of Mexico, they can get as big as three inches. The neon goby's body is black, with white on the belly area. But the markings that give it the name, are bright strips of blue that run down the back, from the nose to tail. These brilliant threads of color flash constantly, as the goby dashes back and forth in the aquarium, chasing others of its species. They are territorial and will each establish an area of the tank that is "theirs", and like to chase off even other gobys, but as a rule, are not aggressive. In fact, the neon goby is what's called a "cleaner" fish, and will eat parasites off the bodies of the very large fish in your tank. This symbiotic relationship is so developed, that large fish will even present themselves in the den of a goby, when they have an infestation. While this constitutes part of their diet, the neon goby still needs to be fed meat-based flakes or fine bits of meaty foods, as their mouths are so small. These are a relatively easy fish to rear, and they can frequently be bred. However, they're also a short-lived fish, seldom lasting beyond 1-2 years.

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