Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Brachygobius doriae
Gobius doriae
Hypogymnogobius doriae
Common name
Bumblebee goby
Origin
Origin: Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Singapore, Cambodia
Biotope: Asian
Dimorphism
Adult females are rounder and less colorful than males.
Group
Gobiidae
Volume
60 L / 13 imp gal / 16 US gal
Parameters
T°: 24 to 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 7 to 8.2
Hardness: 10 to 20°dGH
Difficulty
Average
Size
2.5 to 3.5cm (0.8 to 1.2")
Longevity
5 years
Living zone
Depth
Individuals
6
Food
How to feed the Bumblebee goby?
Food
How to feed the Bumblebee goby?
Quite delicate to feed, most individuals only eat live prey. Some will nevertheless accept frozen alternatives. In most cases, the distribution of dry food is useless since the fish refuse it.
Daphnia, bloodworms and artemia are well accepted.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Bumblebee goby have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Bumblebee goby have?
Brachygobius males are territorial and can fight during the breeding season. Females are tolerated in the territory as long as they are ready to breed. Nevertheless, they are social fish that need their congeners to live properly. Thus, the constitution of a group of at least 6 fish is a strict minimum. Make your group with more females than males (harems). Note that the larger the group, the more territorial disputes will fade away (make sure that the volume of the aquarium remains appropriate: 15 litres for 2 additional fish).
To calm the aggressive temperament of this species, provide many plants and hiding places so that the dominated specimens are sheltered from the dominant ones. The composition of the territories is also easier for the males, which must be able to isolate themselves visually from each other.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Bumblebee goby?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Bumblebee goby?
It's not an ideal fish for a community aquarium. A specific tank will be more adapted to the maintenance of this difficult species.
In general, avoid associating this fish with large or aggressive species.
Breeding
How to breed the Bumblebee goby?
Breeding
How to breed the Bumblebee goby?
Breeding is fairly easy if the maintenance conditions are well respected. Recommended water parameters: temperature at 26°C (79°F) and pH at 8.
During the breeding period, the colouring of the fish varies slightly. Males turn red and their black stripes lighten. Females ready to breed have the first yellow bar much lighter than usual.
Ideally, a special breeding aquarium with a small air filter should be provided. To trigger spawning, the couple needs a cave or cavity. Propose a natural stone arrangement, or small inverted flower pots, ceramic tubes, shells... The male chooses the spawning site that seems the most appropriate and will parade in front of it in search of a receptive female.
The eggs are laid in the cavity. It generally contains between 100 and 200 eggs. After laying, the female is chased away (you can then remove her from the egg tray) and the male keeps the eggs. Incubation lasts between 3 and 4 days depending on the temperature.
As soon as the fry are free swimming (between 7 and 9 days after hatching), the care of the brood ends and you can remove the male.
Another method: egg laying takes place in the main aquarium. Then remove the spawning site and the male to isolate them in a small aquarium containing aquarium water and a small air filter.
Fry feeding: paramecium, rotifers then artemia nauplias.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Bumblebee goby?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Bumblebee goby?
In its natural environment, Brachygobius doriae lives mainly in brackish water. The addition of sea salt to the water (2 grams per litre) is therefore highly appreciated (limiting the risk of disease and increasing the comfort of your fish). You can also opt for a mixture of fresh and salt water with a proportion of 1/4 seawater.
Shelters and hiding places will be essential for a correct maintenance. To do this, use plants, rocks, roots, PVC pipes, flower pots, etc...
For the soil, preferably use sand.
Do not create too strong a current in its living area as it likes quiet areas.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Beware of confusion with Brachygobius xanthozonus, a species with which it has been confused for decades. B.xanthozonus has more than 50 lateral scales, compared to only 30 in B.doriae, giving it a more elongated appearance. B.xanthozonus is very rare in the aquarium trade and it is unlikely that you will find a true xanthozonus (not generally part of the hobby aquarium trade).
The Brachygobius type now includes 9 described species:
- Brachygobius aggregatus
- Brachygobius doriae
- Brachygobius kabiliensis
- Brachygobius mekongensis
- Brachygobius nunus
- Brachygobius sabanus
- Brachygobius sua
- Brachygobius xanthomelas
- Brachygobius xanthozonus
All are known as "bumblebee gobies" but only B.doriae and B.sabanus are commonly available commercially.
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