Violet Goby

About

The violet goby (Gobioides broussonnetii) is probably the most misunderstood fish you'll encounter in the brackish hobby. Also commonly called the dragon goby, it sports an elongated, eel-like body, a wide gaping mouth lined with rows of small teeth, and an iridescent purplish sheen along its flanks. A combination that looks genuinely intimidating but masks a completely peaceful, even timid, animal. In the wild, this species inhabits muddy estuaries, tidal flats, and river mouths along the western Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from South Carolina down through the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It tolerates a wide range of salinities, from nearly fresh water out to moderate brackish conditions, and is typically found sifting through soft substrate for organic matter and small invertebrates. In the aquarium it behaves the same way. A bottom-dwelling scavenger with poor eyesight that spends most of its time nosing along the sand. That poor eyesight is actually the key care consideration: despite its fearsome appearance, this fish can easily be harassed or outcompeted for food by more assertive tankmates. Pair it with calm, similarly sized species and make sure food actually reaches the bottom. At up to two feet in length, it's also the largest goby in the Caribbean, so give it room to move.