Western Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Florida to Belize, on coral heads at 1–45 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
40 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes
Care
A small Caribbean cleaner goby that lives on coral heads. The list gives no size; the article gives 5 cm. A reef with plenty of rock and coral to perch on suits it. Tank size here is an estimate. The sources give no water figures, so the temperature, pH and salinity shown are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-filtered water. It sets up cleaning stations and the list notes it sometimes removes larger parasites from other fish. Keep it fed directly rather than relying on cleaning. Listed by the IUCN as Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elacatinusoceanops). Checked October 2026.
Diet
A cleaner fish that picks parasites off other fish. In the aquarium it should not rely on cleaning; feed small frozen and live foods such as copepods, mysis and brine shrimp, plus fine pellets.
Breeding
No captive breeding details are given in the sources.
Compatibility and tank mates
Reef safe and peaceful. Larger fish usually leave it alone because of its cleaning role, but avoid very large predators. Keep singly or as a pair.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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