All fish / Gobiidae

Nocturn Goby

Priolepis nocturna

Also known as nocturnal goby, nocturn reef goby, convict goby, yes

A small, secretive reef goby with a warm orange to brownish body crossed by thin pale bars edged in darker colour. It spends most of its time under ledges and in caves, so it suits nano reefs with plenty of rockwork where keepers enjoy spotting it at dusk.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and finely chopped frozen seafood

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific

Breeding

A cave spawner: the male guards eggs laid on the roof of a crevice until they hatch. Spawning sometimes happens in reef tanks, but raising the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

Very shy and easily outcompeted at feeding time, so do not house it with boisterous fish or predators that can swallow it. Feed near its hiding spot, ideally after the lights go out.