GOBY BLUE NEON

The Electric Blue Neon Dwarf Goby (Stiphodon atropurpureus) is a very rare freshwater dwarf goby that is native to Japan, Taiwan, and Micronesia.  It is known for the bright neon blue color that male (and, to a lesser degree, some female) specimens display.  Females are not as colorful, but are still very attractively marked with horizontal black and cream-colored stripes.  This fascinating, peaceful fish is an algae and biofilm grazer that is an excellent candidate for the mature nano aquarium.  

An aquarium with heavy water flow (10-15x turnover per hour) and very clean, clear water is required for the Electric Blue Neon Dwarf Goby.  This fish is native to shallow, clear, fast-flowing waters and it is sensitive to declines in water quality, so regular aquarium maintenance is a must.

The Electric Blue Neon Dwarf Goby is a biofilm and algae grazer in nature.  It is known to usually accept frozen meaty foods, but such foods should only be fed occasionally.  This fish will also sometimes accept high-quality dry foods that are rich in plant matter, but it is absolutely essential that biofilm and algae are naturally available in the aquarium to ensure its long-term health or else it may slowly starve.  As long as it is kept in a well-maintained, mature aquarium with good biofilm and algae growth as well as high water flow, the Blue Neon Dwarf Goby is a hardy and entertaining fish.  It will not bother aquarium plants.  In fact, Anubias species are an excellent plant to keep with this goby because Anubias can foster significant biofilm/algae growth in an aquarium with moderate to high lighting.

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature: 68° - 82° F (20° - 27.7° C), but additional aeration/oxygenation is required at the high end of this range.
• pH: 5.5 - 7.0
• KH: 4 - 8 dKH
• Diet: Omnivorous. Typically accepts some dry foods and frozen foods, but requires ample algae and biofilm for longevity
• Bacter AE provides excellent biofilm growth for any biofilm grazing fish or invertebrate
• Social Behavior: Peaceful with other species, but multiple males may have minor squabbles.  Ample territory is recommended for multiple males
• Origin: Taiwan, Japan, and Micronesia
• Average Adult Size: 1.2 - 1.4 inches (3 - 3.5 cm)
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons for a single specimen or pair, 30+ gallons for a group