Black Clown Goby - Gobiodon ceramensis

Quarantine and Conditioning Started on 9/18 - Release Date: 10/8
If you wish to purchase this fish before the release date we will hold the fish for you. Let us know your desired ship date. If there is an issue during the Quarantine process, we will issue a refund.

The Black Clown Goby (Gobiodon ceramensis), also known as the Ceram Coral Goby, is a tiny reef-associated goby distinguished by its nearly uniform dark brown to black coloration, compact body, rounded fins, and prominent eyes.

Rather than living primarily on the substrate, this species is closely associated with branching corals. In its natural habitat, Gobiodon ceramensis shelters and perches among coral branches, using the complex structure of the reef for protection. FishBase records the species from shallow reef habitats at approximately 2–15 meters depth and notes a particularly close association with hard corals. FishBase

The Black Clown Goby remains exceptionally small, reaching only about 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) total length. Its compact size and characteristic perching behavior make it an interesting choice for established reef aquariums where it can be observed moving between favorite resting places. FishBase

The species occurs in the Western Central Pacific. FishBase specifically records it from Indonesia, including areas from Papua through the Moluccas, with the original type locality on Ceram. FishBase

This fish is offered as one of Dr. Mac’s Quarantined and Conditioned Fish.

Care Guide

Scientific Name: Gobiodon ceramensis (Bleeker, 1853)
Common Names: Black Clown Goby, Ceram Coral Goby
Family: Gobiidae
Availability: Wild Collected – Conditioned & Quarantined
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Generally peaceful; may defend a preferred coral or perch
Reef Compatibility: Reef compatible with caution
Minimum Aquarium Size: 10 gallons; larger systems provide greater environmental stability
Maximum Size: Approximately 1.4 inches (3.5 cm total length) FishBase
Diet: Carnivore / small-invertebrate feeder
Temperature: 77–82°F
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4

Aquarium Requirements: Provide established rockwork and numerous small sheltered areas. Branching coral or similarly complex reef structure gives this small goby suitable places to perch and retreat. FishBase documents G. ceramensis living among hard-coral branches in shallow reef habitats. FishBase

Temperament: The Black Clown Goby is generally peaceful with unrelated fishes. Its very small adult size means it is best kept with similarly peaceful tankmates rather than large or aggressive species that could intimidate it or compete aggressively for food.

Reef Compatibility: Best classified as reef compatible with caution. Gobiodon gobies naturally live directly within branching corals. They generally make good reef inhabitants, but coral-associated gobies may spend considerable time perching on SPS colonies, so very small or delicate colonies should be observed for irritation.

Diet and Feeding: Offer appropriately sized foods such as copepods, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, and small marine pellets or other finely sized prepared foods. Because of its small mouth and body size, foods should be offered in correspondingly small portions.