Catalina Goby

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Catalina Goby or Blue-banded Goby is easy to keep in the right environment. The temperature must be lower than most marine aquariums, some say less than 23° C (74° F). Provide plenty of caves and hiding places.

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.