About Elacatinus evelynae (Böhlke & Robins, 1968)
Elacatinus evelynae, commonly known as the sharknose goby, Caribbean cleaner goby, or Caribbean cleaning goby, is a goby species native to the Western Atlantic Ocean. Its distribution ranges from the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles to the northern coast of South America, and also includes the Antilles and western Caribbean. This species inhabits coral reefs in clear ocean waters, at depths between 1 and 53 metres (3 feet 3 inches to 173 feet 11 inches). It is found in waters with a reported temperature range of 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F). These gobies typically live around and on textured surfaces and coral heads that host large polyps, including great star coral (Montastraea), mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) and lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites). The fish need textured surfaces to hold their position when exposed to ocean currents, swells, and tides, as they are not strong enough swimmers to resist these conditions on their own. Holding a steady position is critical for E. evelynae, because it lets the fish the species cleans locate them easily. Elacatinus evelynae is monogamous, and individuals are usually found in pairs near coral heads. Both males and females act aggressively towards same-sex intruders to protect their mates. Attempts to breed this species in captivity show it will not produce eggs unless conditions are optimal, with very little to no fluctuation in temperature and salinity.
