Yellow Clown Goby Glancing on Open Brain Coral

[David Bishop]

I have a yellow clown goby that has developed a relationship with my open brain coral. He perches on the coral and rests on it like some clownfish host an anemone.

Question: Is it normal behavior for the clown goby to roll around or glance against the coral? All water parameters are good- 0 ammonia, nitrite and low nitrate- +/-10. Ph. 8. SG- .023.

If anyone has seen this before, is it normal? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Sounds like he's flashing which is usually indicative of a parasite. How long have you had him and have there been any new additions to the tank?

 

[Mishri]

I did a quick search on yellow clown goby rubbing and found a bunch of results saying they rub on all sorts of corals(mostly sps, but others as well, hammer, long tentacle plate). Worth observing for possible ich, but not something to take aggressive action against imo.

 

[snorvich]

Also note that clown gobies can damage corals by doing so.