Goby & Blenny

A peaceful reef fish known for its constant “hunting” across live rock. Fun fact: wild mandarins perform a nightly spiral mating dance, and pairs may show similar behavior in the aquarium. Needs a well-established tank with plenty of copepods to thrive.

Care Highlights:

-Peaceful

-Stable, mature tank required

-Needs live pods

-Reef-safe

A tiny algae grazer loved for its expressive face and perching habits. Fun fact: despite its size, it often becomes the “comedian” of the tank with quirky movements.
 

Care Highlights:

-Great algae grazer

-Very peaceful

-Perfect for nanos

-Hardy and adaptable

A small goby that loves partnering with pistol shrimp. They perform gentle tail flicks to signal danger or food a unique symbiotic behavior.
 

Care Highlights:

-Peaceful

-Shrimp compatible

-Nano friendly

-Easy feeder

A fan favorite for natural algae control. These fish have tons of personality they perch, watch the room, and “chew” constantly. They’re known to recognize their owners over time.
 

Care Highlights:

-Excellent algae eater

-Peaceful

-Very hardy

-Great for new reefs

A graceful swimmer with a unique eel-like darting motion. They’re known to sleep inside narrow holes and may choose a “favorite spot” they return to nightly.

 Care Highlights:

-Peaceful

-Reef-safe

-Great for nanos

-Easy to keep

A peaceful, hovering dartfish known for quick bursts into the rockwork when startled. Fun fact: bonded pairs perform synchronized hovering and feeding.
 

Care Highlights:

-Very peaceful

-Reef-safe

-Great for nanos

-Needs lid

A slightly more social variant that often forms tighter pair bonds. They’re known to “hover guard” their chosen burrow area.
 

Care Highlights:

-Easy care

-Peaceful

-Pair friendly

-Needs tight lid

A classic pistol-shrimp partner. Watchmans are famous for “standing guard” while their shrimp digs a favorite behavior among hobbyists.

Care Highlights:

-Very hardy

-Great with shrimp

-Peaceful

-Ideal for any size tank