Gobies are generally peaceful, characterful bottom-dwellers that spend most of their time perched on the sand or rockwork, making them ideal additions to community and reef aquariums. Most species are reef-safe and won’t bother corals, though some may rearrange sand as they dig burrows or sift the substrate. Many stay small, so a minimum aquarium size of around 60–100 litres is suitable for the smaller species, with larger tanks needed for bigger or pair-kept gobies. They thrive in setups with a sandy substrate, plenty of hiding spots and, for shrimp–goby pairs, a fine sandbed where they can form their natural symbiotic burrows. Gobies are best housed with peaceful tank mates that won’t outcompete them for food or harass them.
