Freshwater Cobalt Blue Goby

Freshwater Blue Goby

Stiphodon atropurpureus is known by many different names, including the Dwarf neon goby, Freshwater goby, neon blue goby and cobalt blue goby. These little gobies originate from Asia (Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan) and are suitable for fresh water aquaria. Blue goby's are bottom dwellers, and will thrive in well planted aquariums. Top-feeding and mid-swimming fish are ideal tank mates. Freshwater gobies tend to spend their time lounging around on plant leaves and drift wood.

They are known as neon blue goby because they tend to colour-up to a lovely neon blue-purple hue when happy and settled. Some male varieties can display a whiter colouration, with females showing less colour, and sometimes even pinkish-red. More commonly, particularly while juvenile or settling in, they will display more black and white features than blue.

What are suitable tankmates for Freshwater Cobalt Blue Goby?
Freshwater Cobalt Blue Goby are peaceful fish, but can be territorial. Ideal tank mates include smaller community fish like Hill Stream loaches, Harlequin rasbora, Tetra and even Shrimp. They tend to stick to one area once settled in an aquarium.

How big do Freshwater Blue Goby grow?
A fully grown Freshwater Neon Blue Goby can reach around 5.5cm when fully grown. Most will achieve their distinctive blue coloration when close to this size. In the wild, blue gobies can be found in shallow, fast-flowing water.
 
Features
Approx. supplied size: 1" / 2-3cm (small)
Maximum size: 2" / 5.5cm
Origin: Asia
Binomial name: Stiphodon atropurpureus
Family: Gobiidae
Temperament: Peaceful but territorial
Lighting requirement: Low
Ideal number kept together: 2+

Water conditions
Our conditions: pH 7.5, temp 25°C
Ideal pH: 6.5 - 7.5
Water flow: moderate to fast
Ideal temperature: 22-26°C

Ease of care
Moderate. No particular requirements but likes dark spaces around the tank. This can be achieved by the addition of dense planting and driftwood. Their small sizes leaves them vulnerable to larger fish, so it is better to keep with similar sized non-territorial species. Blue Goby fish are hardy but do require pristine clear water, so you will need to do regular water changes and ensure the tank is well-oxygenated at all times.

Diet
Omnivorous. Freshwater Goby are algae grazers, feeding from rocks and plants, but they will also take flakes and wafer. Supplement with bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia as a treat.

Breeding
Egg layers. Hard to sex as the male and female look very similar, so separating a pair for the breeding process is not simple. The best way to get a pair of this fish is by buying a group of Freshwater Blue Neon goby and letting them pair up on their own. The male fish has a slightly darker shade of blue colour in its body than females.

Life Span
Freshwater Cobalt Blue Goby can live 1-2 years in perfect conditions.

For more information on general fishkeeping and our shipping procedures click here.