Aquarium Livestock Pet Care Guides

Gobies for Brackish & Freshwater Aquariums

Origin:

Worldwide in temperate and tropical waters

Tank Temperature:

74-82°F

pH:

6.5-7.8

Tank Requirements:

Brackish species need Specific Gravity of 1.005-1.015, depending on species


Feeding:

Mostly carnivorous; frozen and fresh brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, Daphnia; nutritious flakes or tiny pellets will give best coloration and optimal health.

Behavior:

Swims at the bottom levels of the tank; territorial; males can be aggressive towards other males.

Compatibility:

Community Safe; best kept in a mixture of males and females for best coloration and behavior in larger tanks and a pair in smaller tanks; do not keep with large or aggressive fish; can be kept with rainbowfish and livebearers in freshwater and archerfish, other gobies, and Monodactylus sp. in brackish tanks.

Like their extremely popular saltwater counterparts, freshwater and brackish water gobies are fairly peaceful and small bottom-dwellers that can typically be found perching on rockwork, plants, decorations and other surfaces in the aquarium. They have only recently become more popular and available for freshwater aquariums and the demand for freshwater gobies has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Many of the "freshwater" gobies available to aquarists are actually found in brackish water environments (between freshwater and saltwater, typically with a Specific Gravity of about 1.005 to 1.015) or travel between freshwater and brackish water. It is important to know what environment your goby comes from, since a sudden change from freshwater to brackish or vice versa can be very stressful and dangerous to the fish. Some species start life in freshwater as juveniles, but need an increasing salt level as they mature.

Size, temperament and diet varies greatly within this group. Most fish are carnivorous or omnivorous and are best fed a varied diet of meaty items and some vegetable matter. They are not terribly picky on the whole and will usually accept frozen foods and prepared foods like flakes and pellets over time.

We always suggest that you do further research before adding a new pet to your tank. What we have provided for you are guidelines and suggestions. If you have any further questions please see a fish room employee.

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