Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Also known as: Cobalt Blue Dwarf Goby
A tiny rainforest stream goby with big personality and territorial tendencies.
About
Found tumbling through sun-dappled, fast-moving streams in the rainforests of Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, Stiphodon semoni is a compact little goby that punches well above its weight in terms of character. It lives among rocky, boulder-strewn stream beds, often in hilly terrain not far from the coast, and has even been collected above waterfalls. Which tells you something about its preference for well-oxygenated, crystal-clear moving water. In the aquarium, replicating that current and keeping the water pristine are the two most important things you can do for this fish. Males tend to be more colorful than females, which is typical of the genus, and while the species is genuinely peaceful toward other tankmates, the males will squabble and posture among themselves over territory. Keeping multiple individuals works best in a longer tank with plenty of broken sightlines. Rocks, driftwood, and different levels in the hardscape all help reduce friction. This is not a fish for a bare, stagnant setup. Given the right conditions though, and some patience with its somewhat specific habitat needs, Stiphodon semoni is a rewarding and long-lived goby that intermediate keepers will genuinely enjoy.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Cobalt Blue Goby
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Cobalt Blue Goby get?
- The Cobalt Blue Goby reaches about 1β2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Cobalt Blue Goby need?
- A minimum of 15 gallons is recommended for the Cobalt Blue Goby, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Cobalt Blue Goby need?
- The Cobalt Blue Goby does best with a temperature of 72β82Β°F, a pH of 6.5β8, hardness around 2β15 dGH.
- Is the Cobalt Blue Goby aggressive?
- The Cobalt Blue Goby is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Cobalt Blue Goby eat?
- The Cobalt Blue Goby is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Cobalt Blue Goby live?
- With good care, the Cobalt Blue Goby typically lives 5-8 years.