Gobiodon citrinus

Datasheet

General Description
The Lemon Coral Goby, scientifically known as Gobiodon citrinus, belongs to the Gobiidae family and is commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to Southern Japan and the Great Barrier Reef. These small fish typically grow up to 6.0cm in size and are recognized by their vibrant yellow coloration.

Aquarium Suitability
The Poison Goby is considered suitable for aquariums, with a minimum tank size recommendation of 50 liters. It is important to note that while they can thrive in smaller tanks when equipped to meet their needs, it is generally advised to house them in larger aquariums for optimal well-being.

Demands
The Lemon Coral Goby is classified as having average hardiness and is known to be docile but may display aggression towards similar species. They are highly sensitive during transportation and acclimatization, requiring careful handling during these processes.

Care and Hardiness
These Gobies are shy and docile in nature, emphasizing the necessity to be cautious when housing them with more aggressive tank mates. Providing live food can enhance their chances of adapting well to captive environments.

Reef Suitability
Reef suitability for the Lemon Coral Goby is categorized as reef safe with caution. These fish thrive best in aquariums with Acropora corals, where they enjoy hiding among the branches. While they generally do not harm corals, vigilance is required if the number of fish is high compared to the coral population.

Aquarium Setup
Setting up an aquarium for Poison Gobies should include suitable hiding spots among Acropora corals. Maintaining water conditions with a pH of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, and a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C is vital for their well-being.

Behaviour
These Gobies are known to be very small and can often be found hiding within the branches of stony corals, such as Acropora. They exhibit a docile temperament but may exhibit territorial behavior towards similar species.

Feeding and Diet
The recommended diet for Lemon Coral Gobies includes small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia, as well as zooplankton such as cyclops and pods. They also benefit from consuming small polyp stone corals (SPS) as part of their diet.

Habitat and Distribution
In their natural habitat, Gobiodon citrinus can be found in the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, the Red Sea, Indonesia, and various locations across the Pacific. Their distribution spans from the Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique, and eastward to Samoa.