Catalina Goby

Lythrypnus dalli

Also known as Blue-Banded Goby, Bluebanded Goby, Catalina Blue-Banded Goby

SaltwaterFish

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) — Donald Davesne · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 59–72°F (15–22°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Native to the temperate eastern Pacific from central California to the Gulf of California, on rocky reefs in cool, subtropical water.
Family: Gobiidae

Overview

This nano species can live in a 40 litre or larger tank, but it needs cool water of about 15 to 22 C, which usually means a chiller, plus pH 8.1 to 8.4. It is reef safe, though it may snap up very small invertebrates. Feed small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brine, and cyclops. It is peaceful and can be kept in a small group given enough hiding spots.

In the wild

The Catalina goby is a tiny fish with a bright red to orange body crossed by neon blue bars. It perches on rock and in crevices on cool temperate reefs, often near the shelter of sea urchins. It is not a tropical fish and comes from water in the low to mid 60s Fahrenheit. Keeping it warm shortens its life sharply.

Good to know

Lythrypnus dalli is a goby in the family Gobiidae from the temperate eastern Pacific. It can change sex in both directions depending on the makeup of its group, which is unusual even among gobies. Its blue bars are a form of structural color that shifts with the light.