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OTHERS
GOBIIDAE FAMILY
The members of the Gobiidae or "True" Goby family inhabit mostly marine and brackish waterhabitats, although a few species may occur in freshwater.
Doria's Bumblebee Goby, Golden-banded Goby
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Brachygobius doriae
SYN
:
Gobiusdoriae
PD
: A small, squat species that has a laterally compressed rear region. There are two dorsal fins and the caudalfin edge is rounded.The color and band number is variable, although the yellow-gold to copper body is usuallymarked with four, broad black bands.The dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are black, while the caudalfin may be black to copper.The bands lessen in width with age.
SIZE
: To 2" (5 cm)
SS
: Bumblebee Fish (
Brachygobius xanthozona
) found in fresh and brackishwaters of Borneo, Java, Sumatra,
Thailand
, and Vietnam.Another Bumblebee Goby (
B. nunus
) inhabits similar habitats.
HAB
: Asia; fresh and brackish water in Borneo, Java,
India
,
Malaysia
, Sumatra, and
Thailand
S
: bottom
TANK
: A 16" (40 cm) or 5 gallon (19 L) tank is sufficient. A shallow, wide tank is preferred. Providea retreat for each fish with rocks, wood, pipes, shells, and roots. Use plants that can tolerate brackishwater.The substrate should be sand, although fine gravel is acceptable.
WATER
: pH 7-8.5 (7.5), 10-30 dH (14), 75-86°F (24-30°C). A 1-1.5% addition of salt is recommended. Add7.5-11 tsp. of salt for every 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L).
SB
: A peaceful, quiet fish that can be kept in a brackish water tank with small to mediumsized fish.This species is very territorial towards others of its own species, although suggest keeping itin groups as this disperses aggression.
SC
: Glass fish, Livebearers, Halfbeaks, Rainbowfish
FOOD
: Live; worms,
insect larvae
, crustaceans; tablets
SEX
: Males are more colorful, while females are plumper.
B
: A pair should be kept in a clean, brackish water tank. The addition of fresh water, coupledwith a slight increase in temperature induces spawning.The female has a visible ovipositor two to three days prior to egglaying.From 150-200 eggs are laid in snail shells, under rocks and roots, and in crevices. Theeggs hatch in 4-5 days and the male guards the brood.Start feeding with roftiers and later with
Artemia
nauplii. The fry first swim in the middle waterlevels before becoming substrate dwellers.
BP
: 6.Breeding is not difficult under the proper conditions.
REMARK
S
: This Goby can be slowly adjusted to fresh water, although prefers brackish. Malesand females undergo a color change at spawning times when the front half of their body darkens.
DC
: 5.This brackish water species requires live foods and peaceful companions. This Goby is sensitive to changing waterconditions.
Dragon Fish, Violet Goby
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Gobioides broussonnetii
SYN
:
Amblyopusbrasiliensis, A. mexicanus, Gobioides oblongus, Ognichodes broussonnetii, Plecopodus broussonnetii
PD
: A slender, elongated, eel-like species with a large head. The spiny dorsal fin runs nearly thelength of the body, while the anal fin runs along the rear half of the body. The caudal fin is also long. Thelarge scales are marked with brown markings.The back is brownish while the flanks are silver with a violet iridescence. Thefins are brownish.
SIZE
: To 25" (64 cm) in nature, although smaller in captivity.
SS
: None
HAB
: In coastal estuaries with fresh to brackish water having a muddy substrate. NorthAmerica to South America; from Georgia south to Northwestern
Brazil
S
: bottom
TANK
: A 48" (122 cm) or 55 gallon (209 L) tank is adequate. Use a fine gravel or preferably, sandsubstrate, because this fish likes to bury itself, and sharp rocks can injure the fish. Provide hiding places with rocks, wood,roots, caves, tubes, and tunnels.Leave large, open areas on the bottom for foraging.
WATER
: pH 7.2-8.5 (8.1), 12-30 dH (20), 68-75°F (20-24°C). A 1% addition of salt is recommendedas these fish are found in brackish water.This can be accomplished by adding 7.5 TSP of salt/ 10 gallons (10g/10 L).
SB
: A highly territorial, solitary fish that should be kept in a species tank. Thisfish is often territorial and aggressive towards others of its own species.
SC
: Large livebearers, Scats, Monos,
Arius,
Rainbowfish.
FOOD
: Live; fish, earthworms,
Tubifex
, aquatic insects,
insect larvae
;chopped meat.In nature this species feeds on small organisms in the substrate, by sifting mud in its mouth.
SEX
: No external differences are known, although males are more territorial at spawningtimes.
B
: Spawning is possible in a large aquarium. Success in captive spawning is documentedby Harper in
Tropical Fish Hobbyist
(#473),on pages 130-132.He suggests using a spawning group of one male and three or more females. The tank should be furnished with hidingplaces for the females and as a nest for the male.The fish should not be fed for a week and then conditioned on livefoods.The salinity should be lowered 5 ppt and then raised 5-10 ppt to 30 ppt salinity. The male will spawn with several femalesover the course of a day.Following spawning, the females should be removed and the male will guard the eggs. After36-48 hours, the fry hatch and the male should be removed. After the egg sacs are consumed, he fry can befed roftiers and "green water" containing algae.After a month,
Artemia
nauplii can be fed.
BP
: 10.No spawnings in captivity have been reported.
REMARK
S
: Handle this fish with care, they can inflict a painful bite.
DC
: 7.A highly aggressive fish that requires a diet of live foods, and is best kept in a speciestank
Mudskipper
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Periophthalmus barbarus
SYN
:
Euchosistopuskoelreuteri,Gobiomarus koelreuteri, Gobius barbarus,
Periophthalmus dipus, P. koelreuteri,P. modestus
PD
: The head is large and rectangular in shape. The snout is flattened at the frontand the eyes stick out giving the appearance of an amphibian. The eyes can be popped out which provides thefish with excellent vision and to operate as a periscope ability. The eyes can be retracted into theirsockets.The body color is usually olive green to brown, while the belly is white to blue. The fins are brown at the base turningto blue and finally a red or white fringe.The iris is orange to green.
SIZE
: To 6" (15 cm)
SS
: Other
Periophthalmus
species.
HAB
:Brackish waters of tidal estuaries and mangrove swamps from the Red Sea to
Madagascar
;Australia;
India
; Southeast Asia.
S
: all and even land
TANK
: A 36" (90 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is minimal. The tank must have dry areas, bank orbeach is suggested or perhaps partially emerged wood.The water level should not exceed 12" (30 cm) deep. The air temperature should be the sameas the water, so there should be a tight-fitting cover.Use plants that can tolerate brackish water such as young mangrovetrees.Use a coral sand substrate.The tank should have an efficient filtration system as this speciesis a greedy eater.
WATER
: 7-8.5 (7.5), 10-25 dH (12), 77-86°F (25-30°C). The Mudskipper requires a 1-2% additionof salt.Add 7.5-15 tsp. of salt per 10 gallons (10-20 g/10 L).
SB
: A territorial species that frequently leaves the water. Do not combine with small fish as theymay be consumed.
SC
:
Anableps,Toxotes,
Scats, Monos,
Arius.
FOOD
: Live; worms, crickets, flies, meal worms, beetles, small fish, crustaceans; flakes;tablets
SEX
: Unknown
B
: Unknown
BP
: 10.Has not been bred in captivity.
REMARK
S
: The species will leave water for long periods of time. They breathe through the many bloodvessels located in the mucus wall of the mouth and pharynx. The Mudskipper can control gill opening to createmore surface area, so more oxygen can be exchanged.The gills must remain moist at all times. The Mudskipper is well-known for itsability to climb small shrubs.The Mudskipper "walks" on its pectoral fins. They are capable of making small jumpsfrom plant to plant.The Mudskipper can become very friendly and trusting around humans. Mudskippers are notusually available in aquarium stores.
DC
: 7.An interesting species that requires much maintenance,
Species Index
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