Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Yellow Clown Goby
Gobiodon okinawae
Also called Okinawa goby, Yellow coral goby
From Western Pacific, from southern Japan (including Okinawa) south to the Rowley Shoals and the southern Great Barrier Reef, also Palau and the Marshall Islands; among branching Acropora corals in sheltered lagoons at about 2 to 15 m12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Small coral goby
A tiny, compact goby that is almost entirely bright lemon yellow, with a pale whitish patch on each cheek. Unlike its cousin the citron goby it has no blue lines on the face.2
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and gentle with other species, though it will guard its chosen coral perch from other yellow clown gobies.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Not a big swimmer. It spends most of its time perched in or hovering just above coral branches, darting out to grab passing food.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy care. Keep a tight lid to prevent escapes and provide stable reef conditions with low to moderate water flow.3
Home where they are happiest
A small reef aquarium from about 40 litres (10 US gallons) with live rock and, ideally, branching corals to perch in. Suggested water: 23 to 26 C (74 to 78 F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 to 1.025. Reef safe.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A planktivore that snaps up tiny drifting animals. In the aquarium offer a varied menu of small frozen and live foods such as mysis and brine shrimp and copepods; some individuals are slow to take flakes or pellets.23
Company who they like around
In the wild it lives in small groups of about 5 to 15 among coral branches. In an aquarium a single fish or a pair is the usual choice, since they defend their perch from others of their kind.123
The story where it all began
The species takes its name from Okinawa in southern Japan, part of its western Pacific range. It has become one of the most popular small gobies for nano reef aquariums thanks to its colour and modest size.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It lives among the branches of staghorn Acropora corals and rests on them instead of on the seabed like most gobies.1
- 2
It can breathe air for short periods, a handy trick when its shallow coral home is briefly exposed.1
- 3
Its skin carries a bitter-tasting mucus that makes it unappetising to predators.2
- 4
It can change sex in either direction to form a pair, and the male guards the ring of eggs for around five days until they hatch.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 28 June 2018)1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Yellow Clown Goby. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Yellow Clown Goby?
Feed small amounts once or twice daily. Offer a variety of tiny frozen and live foods like mysis and brine shrimp. Some individuals may be slow to take flakes or pellets, so stick with what it eagerly accepts.23 Furry Diary plan
What does a Yellow Clown Goby eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats tiny drifting animals such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and copepods. Avoid large or sinking foods that it cannot grab; the exact list of what to never offer varies, so ask a vet or experienced breeder for guidance.23
How much space does a Yellow Clown Goby need?
A small reef aquarium of at least 40 litres (10 US gallons) is sufficient. Provide live rock and branching corals for it to perch on.32
What temperature, light or water does a Yellow Clown Goby need?
Keep water at 23, 26°C, pH 8.1, 8.4, and specific gravity 1.023, 1.025. Standard reef lighting works well, and aim for low to moderate water flow.32
How often should I clean a Yellow Clown Goby's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10, 20% water change every two weeks, weekly glass cleaning, and weekly water tests. Top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Yellow Clown Goby live with others?
Yes, it is peaceful with other species, but it will guard its chosen coral perch from other yellow clown gobies. A single fish or a pair is the usual choice.123
How long does a Yellow Clown Goby live?
With good care, it typically lives 3 to 5 years.3
Can I handle a Yellow Clown Goby?
Handling is not recommended as it can stress the fish and it may try to escape. If you need to move it, ask an experienced aquarist or a vet for the safest method.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Citron Clown Goby
Neon GobyLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Gobiodon okinawae fishbase.seused for range, size, depth, coral habitat, groups, air breathing, IUCN
- Wikipedia: Gobiodon okinawae en.wikipedia.orgused for description, behaviour, diet, reproduction, aquarium notes
- Saltwaterfish.com: Yellow Clown Goby saltwaterfish.comused for aquarium care, tank size, water parameters, lifespan
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.