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Marsh Hover Goby

Parioglossus palustris

A peaceful and schooling brackish water micro-goby, native to mangrove swamps and coastal marshes.

Family
Gobiidae
Origin
Pacifico occidentale: isole Ryukyu, Filippine, Palau e Papua Nuova Guinea.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and MadagascarSouth and Southeast AsiaEast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Tank use
Used in 0 tanks

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Species challenges
Water Temperature

22 °C - 26 °C

pH Value

7.5 - 8.2

Water type

Brackish / Marine

Tank level

Midwater

Adult size

4 cm

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western Tropical Pacific: Ryukyu Islands to Palau, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Found in brackish mangrove channels and coastal swamps.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Gobiidae family. Elongated body with clear fins. Reaches a maximum length of 4.0 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and highly gregarious. Shoals actively in the midwater column, facing the light current.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Translucent body with silvery reflections and a dark longitudinal stripe. Spawning males display broader, more colorful fins.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Aquarium Setup: Best housed in brackish setups of at least 50 liters. Keep salinity stable (SG 1.005-1.010). Provide mangrove wood and shelter. Secure lid required.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds on zooplankton. Accepts frozen copepods, brine shrimp, and fine dry granules. Feed twice daily.

Water Quality: Maintain stable parameters: temperature 22-26 °C, pH 7.5-8.2, salinity controlled. Clean water is essential.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful. Must be kept in groups of 6 or more. Suitable tankmates include bumblebee gobies and pipefish.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawns in small caves. The male guards the nest. Raising pelagic larvae is challenging.

Risks and Diseases: Known to jump. Vulnerable to sudden changes in salinity and temperature.

Fish profile

Temperament
Pacifico
Diet
Carnivoro
Tank level
Midwater
Minimum group
6
Adult size
4 cm
Minimum tank volume
50 L
GH
n/a
KH
6 dKH - 15 dKH
TDS
n/a
Conductivity
n/a
Sex ratio
Gruppo
Feeding frequency
2 volte al giorno
Bioload
Low
Flow
Moderato
Jump risk
Covered tank required
Reproduction
Depone in cavità protette. Il maschio si occupa delle cure parentali fino alla schiusa.
Compatibility & tankmates
Estremamente pacifico. Richiede la vita in banco per non rimanere nascosto.

Ecological Estimates & Biological Models

Trophic level
3.1 ± 0.4 se
Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
0.5
Bayesian Length-Weight
a = 0.00389, b = 3.12
VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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Last updated: 06/13/2026