OTHERS
GOBIIDAE FAMILY
The members of the Gobiidae or "True" Goby family inhabit mostly marine and brackish water habitats, although a few species may occur in freshwater.
Doria's Bumblebee Goby, Golden-banded Goby [
Brachygobius doriae
SYN : Gobiusdoriae
PD : A small, squat species that has a laterally compressed rear region. There are two dorsal fins and the caudal fin edge is rounded. The color and band number is variable, although the yellow-gold to copper body is usually marked with four, broad black bands. The dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are black, while the caudal fin may be black to copper. The bands lessen in width with age.
SIZE : To 2" (5 cm)
SS : Bumblebee Fish ( Brachygobius xanthozona ) found in fresh and brackish waters of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Thailand , and Vietnam. Another Bumblebee Goby ( B. nunus ) inhabits similar habitats.
HAB : Asia; fresh and brackish water in Borneo, Java, India , Malaysia , Sumatra, and Thailand
S : bottom
TANK : A 16" (40 cm) or 5 gallon (19 L) tank is sufficient. A shallow, wide tank is preferred. Provide a retreat for each fish with rocks, wood, pipes, shells, and roots. Use plants that can tolerate brackish water. The substrate should be sand, although fine gravel is acceptable.
WATER : pH 7-8.5 (7.5), 10-30 dH (14), 75-86°F (24-30°C). A 1-1.5% addition of salt is recommended. Add 7.5-11 tsp. of salt for every 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L).
SB : A peaceful, quiet fish that can be kept in a brackish water tank with small to medium sized fish. This species is very territorial towards others of its own species, although suggest keeping it in groups as this disperses aggression.
SC : Glass fish, Livebearers, Halfbeaks, Rainbowfish
FOOD : Live; worms, insect larvae , crustaceans; tablets
SEX : Males are more colorful, while females are plumper.
B : A pair should be kept in a clean, brackish water tank. The addition of fresh water, coupled with a slight increase in temperature induces spawning. The female has a visible ovipositor two to three days prior to egg laying. From 150-200 eggs are laid in snail shells, under rocks and roots, and in crevices. The eggs hatch in 4-5 days and the male guards the brood. Start feeding with rotifers and later with Artemia nauplii. The fry first swim in the middle water levels before becoming substrate dwellers.
BP : 6. Breeding is not difficult under the proper conditions.
REMARK S : This Goby can be slowly adjusted to fresh water, although prefers brackish. Males and females undergo a color change at spawning times when the front half of their body darkens.
DC : 5. This brackish water species requires live foods and peaceful companions. This Goby is sensitive to changing water conditions.
Dragon Fish, Violet Goby [
Gobioides broussonnetii
SYN : Amblyopus brasiliensis, A. mexicanus, Gobioides oblongus, Ognichodes broussonnetii, Plecopodus broussonnetii
PD : A slender, elongated, eel-like species with a large head. The spiny dorsal fin runs nearly the length of the body, while the anal fin runs along the rear half of the body. The caudal fin is also long. The large scales are marked with brown markings. The back is brownish while the flanks are silver with a violet iridescence. The fins are brownish.
SIZE : To 25" (64 cm) in nature, although smaller in captivity.
SS : None
HAB : In coastal estuaries with fresh to brackish water having a muddy substrate. North America to South America; from Georgia south to Northwestern Brazil
S : bottom
TANK : A 48" (122 cm) or 55 gallon (209 L) tank is adequate. Use a fine gravel or preferably, sand substrate, because this fish likes to bury itself, and sharp rocks can injure the fish. Provide hiding places with rocks, wood,roots, caves, tubes, and tunnels. Leave large, open areas on the bottom for foraging.
WATER : pH 7.2-8.5 (8.1), 12-30 dH (20), 68-75°F (20-24°C). A 1% addition of salt is recommended as these fish are found in brackish water. This can be accomplished by adding 7.5 TSP of salt/ 10 gallons (10g/10 L).
SB : A highly territorial, solitary fish that should be kept in a species tank. This fish is often territorial and aggressive towards others of its own species.
SC : Large livebearers, Scats, Monos, Arius, Rainbowfish.
FOOD : Live; fish, earthworms, Tubifex , aquatic insects, insect larvae; chopped meat. In nature this species feeds on small organisms in the substrate, by sifting mud in its mouth.
SEX : No external differences are known, although males are more territorial at spawning times.
B : Spawning is possible in a large aquarium. Success in captive spawning is documented by Harper in Tropical Fish Hobbyist (#473), on pages 130-132. He suggests using a spawning group of one male and three or more females. The tank should be furnished with hiding places for the females and as a nest for the male. The fish should not be fed for a week and then conditioned on live foods. The salinity should be lowered 5 ppt and then raised 5-10 ppt to 30 ppt salinity. The male will spawn with several females over the course of a day. Following spawning, the females should be removed and the male will guard the eggs. After 36-48 hours, the fry hatch and the male should be removed. After the egg sacs are consumed, he fry can be fed rotifers and "green water" containing algae. After a month, Artemia nauplii can be fed.
BP : 10. No spawnings in captivity have been reported.
REMARK S : Handle this fish with care, they can inflict a painful bite.
DC : 7. A highly aggressive fish that requires a diet of live foods, and is best kept in a species tank
Mudskipper [
Periophthalmus barbarus
SYN : Euchosistopus koelreuteri, Gobiomarus koelreuteri, Gobius barbarus, Periophthalmus dipus, P. koelreuteri, P. modestus
PD : The head is large and rectangular in shape. The snout is flattened at the front and the eyes stick out giving the appearance of an amphibian. The eyes can be popped out which provides the fish with excellent vision and to operate as a periscope ability. The eyes can be retracted into their sockets. The body color is usually olive green to brown, while the belly is white to blue. The fins are brown at the base turning to blue and finally a red or white fringe. The iris is orange to green.
SIZE : To 6" (15 cm)
SS : Other Periophthalmus species.
HAB :Brackish waters of tidal estuaries and mangrove swamps from the Red Sea to Madagascar ;Australia; India ; Southeast Asia.
S : all and even land
TANK : A 36" (90 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is minimal. The tank must have dry areas, bank or beach is suggested or perhaps partially emerged wood. The water level should not exceed 12" (30 cm) deep. The air temperature should be the same as the water, so there should be a tight-fitting cover. Use plants that can tolerate brackish water such as young mangrove trees. Use a coral sand substrate. The tank should have an efficient filtration system as this species is a greedy eater.
WATER : 7-8.5 (7.5), 10-25 dH (12), 77-86°F (25-30°C). The Mudskipper requires a 1-2% addition of salt. Add 7.5-15 tsp. of salt per 10 gallons (10-20 g/10 L).
SB : A territorial species that frequently leaves the water. Do not combine with small fish as they may be consumed.
SC : Anableps, Toxotes, Scats, Monos, Arius.
FOOD : Live; worms, crickets, flies, meal worms, beetles, small fish, crustaceans; flakes; tablets
SEX : Unknown
B : Unknown
BP : 10. Has not been bred in captivity.
REMARK S : The species will leave water for long periods of time. They breathe through the many blood vessels located in the mucus wall of the mouth and pharynx. The Mudskipper can control gill opening to create more surface area, so more oxygen can be exchanged. The gills must remain moist at all times. The Mudskipper is well-known for its ability to climb small shrubs. The Mudskipper "walks" on its pectoral fins. They are capable of making small jumps from plant to plant. The Mudskipper can become very friendly and trusting around humans. Mudskippers are not usually available in aquarium stores.
DC : 7. An interesting species that requires much maintenance,