Green War Paint Clown Goby (Gobiodon Atrangulatus)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Green, Orange, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 1¾"

Origin : Indo Pacific

Family : Gobiidae

Minimum Tank Size : 10 gallons

The Green War Paint Clown Goby (Gobiodon Atrangulatus), also known as the Earspot Coral Goby, is common within the reefs of the Indo Pacific, found usually among soft and hard coral colonies. The War Paint Clown Goby, Gobiodon Atrangulatus, gets its name from its intricate face markings and its luxurious green body. 

They are a small stocky shaped fish with a very large head for their size. There are many different color variations, and this species is a yellow to greenish-tan color with orange vertical stripes on its head.

Like other Goby species, the War Paint Clown Goby will often create its own burrow in the sand – sometimes these burrows are shared in a symbiotic relationship with the Pistol Shrimp. A 10 gallon or larger aquarium is recommended with plenty of live rock, sandy substrate, and a tight lid to prevent escapes.

They are a peaceful fish that makes a wonderful addition to a reef aquarium containing colonies of polyp corals, as they enjoy swimming and hiding amongst the polyps. However, they may nip at the polyps of SPS corals. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but will fight with its own kind in smaller tanks. Therefore, it is best if it is kept with other docile species.

These fish are bi-directional protogynous hermaphrodites, which means if your house two they have the ability to change sex and form a spawning pair. It is common for clown gobies to spawn in an aquarium. Caution should be exercised if the aquarium contains Acropora sp. or similar SPS corals. They will lay their eggs on the underside of the coral's branch, which will cause tissue recession in that area of the coral. However, under good conditions, the coral will regenerate the lost tissue.

The Green Clown Goby's diet should consist of a variety of brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, table shrimp, and frozen food preparations for carnivores.

Size: Small: 3/4" to 1"; Medium: 1" to 1-3/4"