Lemon Coralgoby (Gobiodon citrinus) — Care Guide

About Lemon Coralgoby

Small yellow goby that lives directly inside the branches of Acropora corals — secretes a defensive mucus that other fish learn to avoid. Reef-safe and peaceful; pairs do well in established SPS-friendly systems.

Gobiodon citrinus, the poison goby, is a species of goby native to the Indian Ocean from the Red Sea and the coast of Africa to the western Pacific Ocean to Japan, Samoa and the Great Barrier Reef. They are reef dwellers being found at depths of from 2 to 20 metres and in association with Acropora corals. The mucus produced by this fish is toxic. They grow to a length of 6.6 centimetres (2.6 in) TL. They have varied body colour and could be either dark brown, or pale yellow. They also have blue vertical lines that go around their eyes and gills. This species is also found in the aquarium trade and has been reared in the aquarium.

Notes from the editors

What it looks like. Compact yellow body with a thick head and small fins. Lives directly inside branching Acropora corals — its primary habitat in the wild and in tanks.

In your tank. Secretes a defensive mucus that makes other fish learn to avoid it. Peaceful and reef-safe. Best in systems with established branching SPS where it has a natural home.

Care notes. Pairs work well in larger SPS-focused systems. The relationship with the host coral is mutualistic — the goby's movement helps the coral by disturbing settling debris.

Sourcing and feeding. Wild-collected from Indo-Pacific reefs; widely available and inexpensive ($25–50). Carnivore — frozen mysis, brine, copepods.

Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.