Desert Goby

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Extreme Australian endemic (Lake Eyre Basin). Survives in isolated artesian pools in the desert, subject to extreme variations in salinity, temperature and oxygen.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Desert Goby (Chlamydogobius eremius). Extremely stocky goby (6 cm / 2.4 inches) with a wide head, eyes protruding upwards and fleshy lips. Has fused pelvic fins forming a sucker.

Social Behavior: Not very active in free swimming. Males are exhibitionist and territorial: they engage in skirmishes deploying their fan-like dorsal fin and widening their jaws without seriously injuring themselves.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Iridescent males: olive green/brown body with golden yellow belly and a massive blue and yellow dorsal fin. Females drab and camouflaged (sand-mud colored).

Aquarium Setup: Specific tank (60 cm / 24 inches). Lots of sand and lots of smooth rocks piled up to create innumerable tiny dens. They tolerate very shallow waters (even just 15 cm / 6 inches).

Diet and Feeding: Opportunistic omnivore. Scrapes algae from rocks, eats leftovers and willingly accepts live or frozen food (brine shrimp, bloodworms) and sinking pellets. Gluttonous eater.

Water Quality: The most resilient aquarium fish in the world: tolerates from 10 to 35°C (50-95°F), from completely fresh water to hypersaline sea, high pH and very low oxygen levels. Better kept in slightly brackish or hard alkaline water.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Species-only tank strongly recommended. In a community aquarium it cannot compete for food with swimming fish. May nip the fins of slow fish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Very easy. The male digs a hole under a flat stone. The female lays sticky eggs on the ceiling of the cave. The male strenuously fans them for 10-14 days, chasing the females away.

Risks and Diseases: Very resistant to diseases. The main threat is old age (they only live 1 or 2 years) or obesity from overfeeding in the aquarium.