Red striped goby (Trimma cana) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Candy cane pygmy-goby
Family
Gobiidae (gobies)
Origin
Western Pacific, from the Philippines to Palau, on steep outer reef slopes at 12–35 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
3 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
30 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

A tiny pygmy goby from steep outer reef walls with hard coral. The article gives 2.5 cm standard length. Suits a nano reef with plenty of rocky ledges and caves. 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. Very small and easily outcompeted, so keep it with tiny, peaceful fish only. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimmacana). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Not covered in detail by the sources. Offer very small foods such as copepods, rotifers, baby brine shrimp and fine frozen foods several times a day.

Breeding

No captive breeding details are given in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. Peaceful but vulnerable; avoid any fish big enough to eat it, and larger shrimps.

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

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