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Catalina Goby

Blue-banded Goby

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Lythrypnus dalli Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   A very beautiful and usually hardy fish, they remain quite small. The Catalina Goby or Blue-banded Goby can be good for a reef aquarium to add color and movement.

   NOTE: The Catalina Goby or Blue-banded Goby must be kept at a lower temperature than most marine fish!

   A cold water marine aquarium is ideal as these are not a "tropical" fish. They are "coldwater" fish, which means they will thrive best in temperatures in the 50°s and 60°s F (with the highest temperatures being 74° F).

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance/Foods:
   The catalina is a typical goby eating small crustaceans and other small marine organisms. Live brine is ideal for the aquarium.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Catalina Goby or Blue-banded Goby are found in the eastern Pacific, Gulf of California. Usually found in fields of boulders and on rocks at depths of 0 to 60 meters.

Social Behaviors:
   Although they are a territorial fish, several can be kept in an aquarium of reasonable size, say 30-40 gallons. They are peaceful with small fish but may be bullied by larger tank mates.

Sex: Sexual differences:
  The males have a longer dorsal fin than the females.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   They have spawned in captivity but successful rearing of the fry has not been successful. They spawn frequently during the summer months. The fry are only 2.5mm long.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
   These fish require lower temperatures than the normal marine temperatures. They will thrive best in temperatures in the 50°s and 60°s F with 74° F being the maximum.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Catalina Goby or Blue-banded Goby adults can grow to 2.5 cm (1.0 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Usually spends most of its' time on rockwork or live rock near the bottom. A bottom dweller.

Availability:
   This fish is usually available and is moderately expensive.

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Latest Comments
The term for when a fish changes its gender is sexual diamorphism. These are a great temperate species but are very territorial. So make sure their line of view is disrupted as they go by an "out of sight, out of mind" way of thinking although some bickering will always occur. Anonymous 2009-06-03
Catalina gobys are really great for the small marine tank. They add movement to the tank especially if you have a group. Anonymous 2006-02-04
I have had a catalina fish and it was great. Had a friendly personality. Misha 2005-01-19
Some of the coolest comments:
Blue banded gobies can change sex. This change is dependent on their social environment (see research by Grober et al.). If you purchase all females, the largest, less subordinate female will change into a male. If you place a larger male in a take with a smaller male, the smaller male will become a female. chris 2007-02-23
Concerning catalina gobies gender. I believe they have the ability to change sex. Over the years I have bought numerous pairs without knowing their sex and always had them spawn. There is a term for it but at this time it eludes me. Tim Phipps 2003-10-14

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Author: David Brough. CFS.