Name: White Cap Goby - Lotilia graciliosa
Brand: TSA Fish
SKU: GOBYxWhtCap
Price: 179.99 USD
Availability: InStock

White Cap Goby - Lotilia graciliosa

$179.99

White Cap Goby - Lotilia graciliosa

Goby Nano Fish Reef Safe

$179.99

SKU: GOBYxWhtCap

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Diet

algae spirulina mysis shrimp brine shrimp

Min Tank Size 30 gallons

Temperament Aggressive

Reef Safe Yes

Care & Diet Feeding, nutrition, and best practices.

Diet Type: Omnivore

Diet and Feeding: Red Striped Gobies are primarily omnivorous sand sifters, feeding in nature on small crustaceans, worms, microfauna, detritus, and some algae; in captivity, it is beneficial to make the bulk of the diet high-quality sinking pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood, with spirulina-based flakes or micro-pellets added for plant matter. To ensure balanced nutrition, offer occasional treats such as copepods, finely minced clam, and other frozen marine foods. Feeding with a sinking delivery or in small portions near the substrate encourages natural foraging behavior, and a seaweed clip may be used if the fish shows interest in grazing. Feed small amounts once or twice daily, and avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality and support steady body condition.

algae spirulina mysis shrimp brine shrimp

Behavior Temperament, activity level, and interactions.

Temperament: Aggressive

The Red Striped Goby is a calm, bottom-oriented fish that spends much of its time hovering low over the substrate, sifting sand, and darting between shelters, so it benefits from a tank with ample open sandbed area plus caves and other hiding spots. It is generally peaceful toward tank mates but can be territorial with conspecifics, especially in smaller systems or when shelter is limited. A minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons is recommended, though larger setups are preferable, and a layout with rockwork, visual barriers, and multiple retreat zones helps reduce stress and territorial displays. In mixed communities it typically coexists well with reef-safe species and other nonaggressive fish, provided it is not housed with boisterous or overly competitive feeders. Its diet is omnivorous with a strong benthic focus, feeding on small crustaceans, worms, and other microfauna it picks from the substrate, and it readily accepts quality frozen, prepared, and sinking foods in captivity.

Tank & Aquascape Tank requirements and aquascaping tips.

Min Tank Size: 30 gallons
Max Size: 3 inches
Care Level: Easy
Origin: Western Pacific

Compatibility Tank mates, aggression, and introduction order.

Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes

Reef & Health Reef safety, common issues, and prevention.

Reef Safe: Yes
Care Level: Easy

FAQs Answers to the most common questions.

How do I tell if my Red Striped Goby is actually settled and feeding, or just grazing the glass and rocks without getting enough food?

A settled Red Striped Goby will spend most of the day actively picking at biofilm, algae, and tiny organics on hard surfaces, then show a rounded belly and stable coloration. A stressed or underfed fish often stays thin behind the head, hovers weakly, loses red striping intensity, or ignores prepared foods. In the aquarium, true feeding is usually subtle: they rasp constantly on stone, wood, and glass, and may only take tiny frozen or sinking foods if current is gentle and the food lands near the substrate. A healthy specimen also perches confidently in flow and returns repeatedly to favored grazing spots.

What tank conditions are most important for keeping a Red Striped Goby long term, especially water movement and oxygenation?

Strong oxygenation and clean, stable water are the two biggest priorities. Red Striped Gobies do best in cool to moderate tropical water, high dissolved oxygen, and noticeable current, with plenty of smooth rock surfaces for grazing. They are poor candidates for warm, stagnant, dirty tanks. Aim for pristine water quality, very low nitrate, and efficient filtration without creating dead spots. They appreciate a tight lid too, because they can dart and jump when startled.

Can Red Striped Gobies live in a community tank with shrimp, snails, and small peaceful fish?

Yes, usually, because they are not predators and are too small-mouthed to bother healthy adult shrimp, snails, or similarly sized peaceful tankmates. The bigger issue is competition and stress: boisterous feeders, fin-nippers, or aggressive bottom dwellers can outcompete them at feeding time or prevent them from grazing comfortably. Ideal tankmates are calm fish that occupy midwater or upper water layers, plus invertebrates that won’t crowd their grazing stones. Avoid large cichlids, loaches that dominate the bottom, and fast surface-to-bottom feeders.

Why does my Red Striped Goby keep losing its bright red striping, and is that a sign of illness?

Faded striping is often a stress signal, not necessarily disease. Common causes include poor water quality, insufficient current, low oxygen, inadequate grazing surfaces, harassment by tankmates, or a newly imported fish still acclimating. Color can also change with mood, time of day, and dominance. If the fish is still eating, perching normally, and not showing pinched belly, clamped fins, rapid breathing, or white patches, the fading is usually environmental. First improve flow, oxygen, and food access before assuming illness.

What foods should I offer if my Red Striped Goby is not thriving on natural algae alone?

Offer very small sinking foods that mimic what it can pick up from the substrate: frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, finely crushed quality pellets, micro granules, and occasionally soft frozen foods chopped tiny enough to be pecked at. They are not strong competitors for large particles, so feed in a low-current area or target feed near their favorite rocks. The best long-term condition usually comes from a tank with mature biofilm and algae growth plus supplemental microfoods, rather than relying on prepared foods alone.