Poso goby
Mugilogobius adeia
A small freshwater goby endemic to Lake Poso in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Characterized by a benthic lifestyle, cryptic coloration, and territorial yet peaceful behavior.
Water Temperature
24 - 30 °C
pH Value
7.5 - 8.6
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 50 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
6 - 12 dGH
KH
3 - 6 dKH
TDS
120 - 240 ppm
Conductivity
188 - 375 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Lake Poso, an ancient tectonic lake located in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. It inhabits shallow, nearshore areas of the lake with sandy and rocky substrates.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Gobiidae, genus Mugilogobius. It features a stocky body, upward-looking eyes, and two separate dorsal fins. The pelvic fins are fused to form a suction disc on the belly.
Social Behavior: Strictly benthic and territorial, especially males defending small crevices between rocks. Peaceful towards midwater swimming species, but may fight with conspecifics or other bottom-dwellers.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Displays a sandy grey-brown body pattern with dark vertical bands and horizontal blotches for camouflage. Adult males are generally larger and show darker, more intense coloration during spawning.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 15-20 gallons (60-80 liters) decorated with flat stones forming small caves and crevices. Use fine sand or smooth gravel as a substrate to prevent physical damage to the fish.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivore and micro-predator. Prefers live or frozen foods that reach the bottom, such as bloodworms, mysis, brine shrimp, and micro-worms. Sinking pellets of high quality can be accepted over time.
Water Quality: Requires stable parameters replicating Lake Poso: pH 7.5-8.2, moderate hardness (GH 6-12), and temperature between 24-28°C (75-82°F). Efficient filtration with moderate flow is ideal.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Best kept with peaceful species from the same region, such as Sulawesi rainbowfish or small lake shrimps (provided there is cover). Avoid large or aggressive tankmates.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawning occurs inside a cave or narrow tube. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. Raising the tiny fry requires microscopic live foods (rotifers or infusoria) during the initial stages.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to sudden temperature shifts and elevated ammonia or nitrite levels. Susceptible to fin rot or fungal infections if injured by sharp rocks.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to Lake Poso, an ancient tectonic lake located in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. It inhabits shallow, nearshore areas of the lake with sandy and rocky substrates.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The overall temperament of Mugilogobius adeia can be described as peaceful. Understanding their personality is vital for maintaining a peaceful and stress-free environment. They may exhibit unique behaviors when interacting with their surroundings or during feeding time. Careful consideration of their disposition leads to a more rewarding fishkeeping experience.
- Diet
- Carnivore
- The natural diet of Mugilogobius adeia is primarily omnivorous. In captivity, they should be offered a varied selection of high-quality foods to meet their nutritional needs. Incorporating both dry commercial diets and frozen or live options will ensure optimal health and coloration. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies.
- Life expectancy
- 1-2 years
- The Poso goby (Mugilogobius adeia) has a relatively short lifespan in the aquarium, usually between 1 and 2 years. Being a species adapted to the specific and stable conditions of an ancient lake, it is highly sensitive to any fluctuations in parameters. To maximize its longevity, it is essential to provide constant water monitoring and targeted nutrition from the very first days.
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4.3 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Mugilogobius adeia (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Pair
- The ideal sex ratio for keeping Mugilogobius adeia is typically pairs. Keeping them in these numbers helps reduce intraspecific aggression and mimics their natural social structure. Providing ample hiding spots can further alleviate tension among dominant individuals. Always monitor the group dynamics when introducing new specimens.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Feeding Mugilogobius adeia should generally be done daily. It is important to provide only what they can consume in a few minutes to prevent leftover food from decaying. Establishing a regular feeding schedule helps keep the fish active and healthy. Adjust the frequency if you observe signs of undernourishment or overfeeding.
- Bioload
- The bioload produced by Mugilogobius adeia is generally considered low. This means that the filtration system must be adequately sized to handle their waste output. Regular water changes and tank maintenance are strongly recommended to keep the environment healthy. Failure to do so can result in poor water quality and stress the fish.
- Flow
- Strong
- In their natural habitat, Mugilogobius adeia experiences water flow that is moderate. Replicating this in the aquarium is crucial for their well-being and natural behavior. Appropriate water movement aids in oxygenation and prevents dead spots in the tank. Utilizing adjustable powerheads can help achieve the perfect balance.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Regarding reproduction, Mugilogobius adeia is known to be a egg-layer. Breeding them in a home aquarium requires specific water parameters and a dedicated setup. Providing the correct spawning media and conditioning the adults with high-quality foods will increase success. Raising the fry can be challenging and requires specialized microscopic foods initially.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Community
- When it comes to compatibility, Mugilogobius adeia is characterized as peaceful. They should be housed with tank mates that share similar water requirements and temperament. Care must be taken not to include species that could easily become prey or outcompete them for food. Observation is key to ensuring a harmonious community.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- In the aquarium, Mugilogobius adeia prefers to occupy the bottom level. Designing the aquascape to cater to this preference ensures the fish feel secure and display their best colors. Ensure that there is adequate swimming space and appropriate decor in their preferred zone. This vertical distribution also allows for careful selection of tank mates that occupy other levels.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.4 ± 0.58 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01023, b = 3
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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