Leavelli Goby

About

A small but feisty stream-dweller from Southeast Asia, Rhinogobius leavelli is native to the river systems of Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, where it occupies fast-moving, well-oxygenated waters. Like most gobies in this genus, it uses its fused pelvic fins as a suction cup to anchor itself against rocks and substrate in the current, and it brings that same personality into the aquarium. Curious, territorial with its own kind, and always seemingly aware of what's going on around it. Adults top out somewhere between two and three and a half inches, which keeps them manageable in a reasonably sized setup. Despite the confident attitude, Rhinogobius leavelli is considered a beginner-friendly species, tolerating typical community tank conditions without demanding the precise water chemistry that some of its relatives require. That said, a tank with a sandy or gravelly bottom, some flat rocks for perching and claiming territory, and decent water movement will bring out its best behavior. It's a bottom-hugger through and through, so tankmates should be chosen with that in mind. Species that occupy the mid and upper water column make the best companions and help reduce the squabbling that happens when multiple gobies compete for the same patch of ground.