|
(amblygobius phalaena)
Saltwater
Native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean regions, this is a popular sand sifting choice. By taking mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through the gills (also an act of breathing), the sand substrate gets stirred up, releasing nutrients and the detrital material is removed from live rock. It has a yellowish-brown body with alternating light and dark bands, outlined in bright blue. The greenish-brown head has bright blue and orange dots and dashes. There are three black spots: 1. on the gill cover, 2. on first dorsal fin and, 3. on the caudal fin. Other names for this fish include Brownbanded Goby, Harbor Goby, Pistol Goby, Phalaena Goby and Penant Glider.
Size: sm. 1"-2"; med. 2"-3"; lg. 3"-4"
No. in Tank: one or a mated pair
Tank: min. 30 gallons
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Food: (Omnivore) This fish's diet consists of bottom-dwelling invertebrates and algae. It needs a varied diet including small crustaceans, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mysid shrimp and frozen herbivore preparation and algae. Feed 3 times a day, depending on the amount of natural algae in the aquarium that is available for grazing.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: The aquarium needs a tight fitting lid, to prevent it from jumping out of the aquarium. Also needs a sand substrate, preferably live sand with live rock for burrowing. The mated pair must be introduced together, else might fight; they are rarely aggressive toward other fish, yet are very territorial and will defend their declared area.
Compatibility: Excellent for reef systems as they will not harm sessile invertebrates. Will fight with other gobies yet are rarely aggressive toward other fish, though can get very mean over territories.
|
