Brown Clown Goby

Brown Clown Goby: The Pint-Sized Percher

The Brown Clown Goby (Gobiodon quinquestrigatus) also known as the Five Line Coral Goby, is a tiny, stocky fish celebrated for its cartoonishly large head and delightful personality. This little goby boasts an earthy, coffee-colored body, sometimes accented by subtle reddish or blue markings around the eyes and gills. Reaching a maximum size of just 2 inches, it is an excellent fit for nano and pico reef tanks (min 10 gallons).

The Brown Clown Goby is a favorite among aquarists for its signature perching behavior—it uses specialized pelvic fins to stick to or "perch" on branches of live rock and corals, providing endless entertainment. They are generally peaceful toward other fish, but will fiercely defend their chosen perch against others of the same species.

**Important Reef Caution:** While commonly housed in reef aquariums, the Brown Clown Goby is considered **Reef Safe with Caution**. They naturally live within branching corals (like Acropora) and may nip at coral polyps to clear a spot for perching or nesting. This can irritate or cause tissue recession in delicate **SPS (Small-Polyp Stony) corals**.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Gobiodon quinquestrigatus
• Common Name: Brown Clown Goby, Five-Lined Coral Goby
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Max Size: 1.5 - 2 inches
• Temperament: Peaceful (Territorial toward other Clown Gobies)
• Diet: Carnivore. Requires small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and prepared pellets.
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons