Boddart's Goggle-eyed Goby

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Coastal mudflats and tidal estuaries of India, Singapore, and Thailand. They spend low tide foraging on exposed mud.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Genere Boleophthalmus. Specialized mouthparts and teeth adapted to graze on benthic diatoms. Grows to 22 cm.

Social Behavior: Highly territorial over grazing territories ('farms') on the mud. Defends their territory with raised dorsals.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Greenish-brown with iridescent blue spots and dark diagonal bars. Beautifully spotted dorsal fin. Sessi look identical.

Aquarium Setup: Paludarium with a muddy or very fine silt substrate. Needs specialized setups to grow and maintain natural algae film.

Diet and Feeding: Hard to feed. Requires constant supply of diatoms, spirulina paste, and commercial gel foods formulated for herbivores.

Water Quality: Brackish water (1.005-1.010 SG). Ensure high humidity and clean water via gentle, non-turbulent filtration.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Safe with peaceful midwater brackish species, but aggressive toward any other benthic algae grazers.

Aquarium Breeding: Not achieved in domestic systems; requires complex tidal mud flats to spawn.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is the leading cause of death. Requires experienced aquarists. Active jumper.