Bumblebee Goby

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Coasts of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore). Populates muddy estuaries, mangroves and tide-influenced zones where fresh water meets the sea.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius doriae). Massive, cylindrical-shaped goby, reaches about 4 cm (1.5 inches). Features pelvic fins fused to form a small sucker to anchor itself to the bottom.

Social Behavior: Not very active, funny and territorial with conspecifics. Spends its days motionless on the bottom or clinging to the glass, making sudden dashes. Must be kept in colonies of at least 6-8 specimens to dilute skirmishes.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Unmistakable coloration reminiscent of a bee: golden yellow/orange body with wide, well-defined black bands. Mature females have a much rounder abdomen and often less defined bands.

Aquarium Setup: Specific 60 cm (24 inches) aquarium. Strictly needs innumerable shelters (snail shells, pebbles, small rocks and wood) so that each individual creates its own territory. Fine sand on the bottom.

Diet and Feeding: Micropredator reluctant to dry food. Will almost exclusively accept live or frozen food that passes in front of its snout (brine shrimp, white and red bloodworms). Does not chase food if it flies away with the current.

Water Quality: Vital requirement: BRACKISH WATER. Requires the addition of synthetic marine salt (density between 1.002 and 1.005, about 3-7 grams/liter). Keeping them in pure fresh water long-term causes fungus and rapid decline.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Terrible companion in freshwater communities. In a brackish tank it only tolerates peaceful companions that swim high (e.g. Pseudomugil signifer or small Mollies). Attacks small ornamental shrimp.

Aquarium Reproduction: They lay inside crevices or old snail shells. The male fiercely guards the eggs. The real difficulty is the growth of the larvae, which are pelagic and require marine infusoria.

Risks and Diseases: The most lethal commercial misunderstanding is selling them as "freshwater" fish. Without hard, alkaline and moderately salty water they systematically succumb.