Red head goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Gobiosoma puncticulatum, Gobiosoma rubrifrons
Family
Gobiidae (gobies)
Origin
Tropical eastern Pacific, from southern Baja California to southern Ecuador, on rocky and coral reefs to about 21 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 cleaner goby; the article gives about 4 cm for males and under 3 cm for females. In the wild it is often found with the pencil urchin Eucidaris thouarsii. Provide rockwork with perches. 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. The list notes it is easily startled and can seem to vanish in larger tanks, as it rarely swims into view. A smaller, calm tank lets you see more of it. Both sexes clean visiting fish, and pairs are often faithful. Popular in the trade for its colour and calm nature. 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/Elacatinuspuncticulatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A part-time cleaner that eats parasites and debris from other fish. In the aquarium feed small frozen foods such as copepods, mysis and brine shrimp and fine pellets.

Breeding

Eggs are laid on the bottom and guarded and cleaned by the male; a spawn of about 150 eggs hatches after roughly a week into larvae that drift in open water. Related species spend about three to five weeks as larvae.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful. Avoid large or boisterous tankmates. Keep singly or as a pair.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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