Tiger goby
Tigrigobius macrodon
Also known as Elacatinus macrodon
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2 in
- 5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Gobiidae
- Origin
- Western Atlantic, southern Florida to northern South America
Overview
The tiger goby is a small, peaceful reef goby ringed with thin bars. It is an easy fish for a first reef tank.
Did you know
The tiger goby is more at home in a tide pool than almost any other reef fish. In the wild it is often found in water shallow enough to wade in, hiding under red algae between tides.
Caring for the tiger goby
The tiger goby is content in a nano tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Each fish adopts a favorite crevice in the rock and darts out from it for food. Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
Tiger gobies are peaceful and reef safe, and they mix well with other community fish. They tolerate their own kind better than most small gobies, so singles, pairs and small groups all work. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The tiger goby is currently placed in Tigrigobius, a genus name that literally means tiger goby. The trade still lists it under its older name, Elacatinus macrodon. Its body is translucent with a greenish cast, ringed from snout to tail with thin brown bars.
In the wild
The tiger goby is a shallow water goby of the subtropical western Atlantic, from southern Florida to northern South America. It has been recorded down to about 7 m. It holds close to rock faces, pilings and the surfaces of large sponges.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The tiger goby is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Pederson's cleaner shrimp
Ancylomenes pedersoni
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Trochus snail
Trochus sp.
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Helfrich's firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Barber goby
Elacatinus figaro
Saltwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Long arm shrimp
Cuapetes sp.
Saltwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Stomatella snail
Stomatella varia
Saltwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a tiger goby need?
A tiger goby needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a tiger goby need?
A tiger goby is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a tiger goby get?
An adult tiger goby reaches about 2 in (5 cm).
Related species
1.2 in (3 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Panamanian greenbanded goby
Tigrigobius panamensis
1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Neon goby
Elacatinus oceanops
2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Red head goby
Elacatinus puncticulatus
2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Whitecap goby
Lotilia klausewitzi
2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Yellowline sponge goby
Elacatinus horsti
2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Green clown goby
Gobiodon histrio
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)