25f. Perchlike fishes (6): Gobies - Aquarium Glaser GmbH

25f. Perchlike fishes (6): Gobies (64)

Stiphodon atropurpureus

25. August 2023

The neon gobies of the genus Stiphodon are all beautiful fish. None of the 37 currently known species grows longer than 5-7 cm, usually they remain much smaller. Although adult Stiphodon live exclusively in pure freshwater, the larvae can only develop in the sea. Therefore, neon gobies live in streams near the coast. They spawn under stones, the male guards the eggs. The hatching, tiny larvae are washed with the current into the sea, where they develop.

Stiphodon atropurpureus is – if one follows the literature data – widely distributed, because the larvae are drifted with ocean currents. The species is known from Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South China. However, it is scientifically described from the Philippines. Extremely similar is S. semoni from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. By pure observation the two species cannot be distinguished. S. atropurpureus has more scales in the longitudinal row (30-37, mostly 33-35, S. semoni has 27-30), in the vertical row (12-18, mostly 15-17, S. semoni has 10-11) and in front of the first dorsal fin, so altogether smaller (and therefore more) scales on the body.

However, this is not recognizable on the living animal; it is more than likely that S. atropurpureus and S. semoni are constantly confused with each other. Also we have no other choice than to trust the information of the exporter. Since the two species do not differ in aquaristic requirements and in coloration, the question of which species they are is rather academic.

The fish, like all Stiphodon, live in schools consisting of males and females. Females are inconspicuously colored. Only when they want to spawn, the males develop the full color splendor, occupy a territory and court with their bright colors in front of the females. When the young have hatched, the males become paler again (but they are then still beautiful) and return to the shoal.

In the aquarium the care succeeds easily. Being omnivorous, Stiphodon prefer small food particles (food tablets, frozen cyclops, etc.) and also gnaw on algae.

For our customers: the animals have code 456083 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius sabanus Vietnam

19. July 2023

From Vietnam we received this very nice bumble bee goby. The identification of bumble bee gobies is still in many cases a very tricky matter and often succeeds only with many question marks. Brachygobius sabanus was originally described from Borneo (Sabah), but our animals originate from Vietnam. However, the figure attached to the first description of B. sabanus agrees very well with our animals. In the scientific literature (Taki et al, 2021), this bumble bee goby from the Indochinese Mekong River is also assigned to the species B. sabanus.

B. sabanus grows to only about 2.5 cm in length and is individually quite variable in coloration. The animals live in pure freshwater and also spawn here. Females ready for spawning are very light in color.

For our customers: the animals have code 407252 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply to wholesalers.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Literature:

Taki, Y., R. Ohtsuka, M. Komoda, Y. Natori, K. Utsugi, K. Shibukawa, T. Oizumi, S. Ottomanski et al. (eds.) (2021): Fishes of the Indochinese Mekong. Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, Tokyo, Japan. i-xii + 1-546.

Lentipes argenteus

17. July 2023

Once again we can announce a first import, but unfortunately a completely unspectacular one. Lentipes argenteus, a neon goby from West Sumatra, is – as they say – a dream in gray. We are quite sure that this will be our only import, because such fish are only interesting for specialists. For all of you who are wondering why we imported them at all, the answer is: it was a mix-up on the part of the exporter. There are people everywhere, even in the ornamental fish trade.

Lentipes argenteus, regardless of its drab color, is very suitable as an aquarium fish. It is a very peaceful goby that likes to live in company with its own kind. Probably this is even the reason for the plain coloration: other Lentipes species are (at least in the male sex) quite colorful. Something like this always indicates territoriality. The sexes of L. argenteus hardly differ. The males have a little more silver shine in the face, very soft pink lips and – this is the color highlight – blood red ventrals (pelvic fins), but the latter only when they get into courtship mood. The maximum size of L. argenteus is about 4.5 cm, it becomes sexually ripe at about half this length. L. argenteus loves current, temperatures between 24 and 28°C and clear water. It willingly eats any common fish food, whether dry, frozen or live.

For our customers: the animals have code 423702 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Bostrychus zonatus

16. June 2023

Bostrychus zonatus is a sleeper goby and becomes about 15 cm long. They are predatory fish, which should therefore only be kept together with species that have at least half the body length of the gobies, larger is safer.

The beautiful animal is widespread in fresh and brackish water in New Guinea and northern Australia. It is therefore a good idea to keep for it together with rainbowfish from this region.

The colouring can change very quickly depending on the mood, excited animals become very rich in contrast.

These animals demand hard water, in any case the pH-value should be above 8 if possible. Soft soil, many hiding places and a light addition of salt (the latter is not absolutely necessary) increase the well-being of the quarrelsome fish.

For our customers: the fish have code 396503 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Butis gymnopomus

16. June 2023

Sleeper gobies the genus Butis (there are 6 recognized species) belong to the most original members of their kind. They swim around in the aquarium in every imaginable posture, especially often with the belly up, but also upside down or with the snout up. Thereby they imitate a floating piece of wood and are not perceived as a threat by their prey fish. The extremely voracious animals grow to a length of approx. 12 cm. Apart from fish, acclimated specimens also accept frozen food.

They are brackish water fish, which tolerate pure fresh water (but then pay attention to the pH-value, which should not drop below 8!) as well as pure sea water. Because of their salt tolerance, the species are very widespread in the Western Pacific region, being found from East Africa to India and Australia and everywhere in between. Butis gymnopomus (our specimens are from Indonesia) differs externally from the otherwise very similar B. amboinensis, B. butis, B. humeralis and B. melanostigma by the unstriped gill cover below the eye and the absence of a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fins. The rest of the coloration is extremely variable and the fish can change color in a flash.

Males have much longer extended posterior dorsal and anal fins. Although the goby often swims (or drifts) freely in the water, it is substrate oriented. When given the opportunity, it likes to snuggle up to a root or the like. Solid substrate is also used for spawning, such as a rock. The male takes care of the numerous, tiny spawn. The also tiny fry grows up in brackish water or sea; a report about a successful breeding in the aquarium is not known to us.

For our customers: the animals have code 408012 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Sineleotris saccharae

19. May 2023

From the Hong Kong area comes this beautiful, but also delicate goby. The maximum length of the species is about 10 cm. The basic temperature requirements are well known from the White Clouds (Tanichthys albonubes), which occurs in the same region: 16-22°C for normal care, somewhat higher for breeding, short-term up to 28°C are tolerated.

There is still very little experience with Sineleotris saccharae. In our normal fish house aquarium (140 x 60 x 30 cm, L x D x H) with a stock of 25 specimens and a piece of root wood as the only furnishing (no substrate, no plants) the animals show a rather free swimming behavior, comparable to Stigmatogobius sadanundio. Each fish defends a zone of about 5-10 cm around itself against conspecifics. If a conspecific enters this space, it is threatened, with the throat region turning black, and driven away. If he does not want to give way, it can also come to mouth tugging, as one knows it from cichlids. Over a larger distance than 15 cm the opponent is not pursued however, it comes to no damage fights.

In the photo tank the behavior is completely different and more typical for gobies. Here they are bottom oriented and hide behind stones etc.. One specimen has even burrowed into the sand, so there is still a lot to explore about these beautiful fish! Concerning the food they are unproblematic. We feed them live food (red and white mosquito larvae, Tubifex) in the photo tank they also snatched parts of food tablets, which were actually intended for feeding other animals.

For our customers: the animals have code 455223 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rhinogobius shennongensis

17. March 2023

The brook gobies (Rhinogobius) are as adult fishes pure freshwater inhabitants, which are found at most once in the brackish water of the lower reaches of running waters; but even this is the exception, not the rule. With 140 described species, 72 of which are generally considered valid, there is still a wide open field here for aquarists with an urge to explore. All species can be maintained well in the aquarium. When breeding, there are those Rhinogobius that have tiny larvae that grow in the sea and those that have large larvae that grow in freshwater. All species are cave spawners, the male guards the clutch until the larvae hatch. Brood care ends when the larvae swim free.

For the first time we could import Rhinogobius shennongensis from China. It originates from the Yangriwan, upper Hanjiang River, Mount Shennnong, Hubei Province. The maximum length is about 5-6 cm, males are larger than females. The sexes are most easily distinguished by the shape of the head. According to their origin, the fish are kept not too warm (18-24°C), in clear, oxygen-rich water with a good current. They are bottom fish, the males form territories. Rhinogobius shennongensis is somewhat quarrelsome; therefore possible tank mates should not be too squeamish. All common ornamental fish food is eaten, although some specimens do not like dry food. Frozen food is always accepted.

For our customers: the fish have code 453480 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rhinogobius sp. “Davidi”

17. March 2023

We have the great ambition to open up new species for aquaristics again and again. Therefore it is not excluded that we also import species whose scientifically exact determination is not successful, because simply not enough scientific research has been done about the animals so far. The extremely species-rich genus Rhinogobius is a good example of this. Under the name “Rhinogobius davidi” we imported freshwater gobies from an exporter in China that was new to us. Basically you can’t really go wrong, because all Rhinogobius species are well suited for aquaristics: small, colorful, comparatively easy to care and of interesting behavior. After settling in, the “Rhinogobius davidi” turned out to be a mix of three species, none of which matched the scientific description of Rhinogobius davidi.

We sent pictures of our animals to the world’s leading expert on Rhinogobius, I-Shiung Chen, with a request for identification. His answer is: unfortunately, identification is not possible without exact knowledge of the locality and without preserved material. Fortunately, there were no losses among our imports, so there is no possibility to preserve animals and locality is always to be treated with caution when importing ornamental fishes. So we have to live with not being able to name these Rhinogobius more exactly. In order not to cause name chaos for future imports, we therefore leave the name “Rhinogobius davidi” for the animals and modify it only to Rhinogobius sp. “Davidi” to make clear that it is only a provisional name.

The three species of the import can be distinguished quite well at a closer look, two of them have a similar basic coloration. However, these two differ clearly in the head pattern. One species has a vertical red line under the eye, which is surely species specific, because both sexes show it. The second, similar species has exclusively horizontal streaking and dots below the eye and in the rest of the head. The males of this somewhat smaller and more slender form (about 3.5-4 cm) also develop a conspicuously pale lower lip when excited. The third species has a completely differently shaped first dorsal fin, which is also adorned with a conspicuous black spot. All three Rhinogobius sp. “Davidi” have turned out to be robust, easy to care for fishes, which are a lot of fun to watch.

For our customers: the animals have code 453442 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Chlamydogobius eremius

8. December 2022

The desert goby (Chlamydogobius eremius) is a wonder of nature in terms of temperature adaptability. Originally it comes from the desert of South Australia. There it can be very hot during the day, but very cold at night. The high heat capacity of the water prevents the fish from having to endure sudden temperature changes, but the temperature range that the Desert Goby can tolerate is between 10 and 35°C!

Under no circumstances should this tempt the fish to be exposed to sudden temperature changes. They cannot tolerate this at all and may even die in extreme cases. For maintenance hard rather than soft water is recommended, in any case the pH should be above 7.5, better in the range of 8-8.5. Acidic water is bad for the animals. However, they are very tolerant to salinity.

The sexes are easily distinguished by coloration; in addition, the males have a much thicker head. They are cavity breeders with brood care in the male sex. Within the territory a male does not tolerate a conspecific of the same sex, it is essential to take this into account when caring for them. If you want to keep several males of the usually 4-5 cm long species (in the literature you can also find 6 cm as final size, but this seems a bit exaggerated to us), you need an aquarium with a lot of structure, i.e.: many stones, caves and roots. Desert gobies are bottom fish. A sandy bottom is recommended. They are peaceful towards other fishes.

For our customers: the animals have code 411002 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mogurnda mogurnda

5. October 2022

The Australian northern trout gudgeon (Mogurnda mogurnda) belongs to the very few fishes of the fifth continent, which became native already before the 2nd world war in the aquaria. They are very beautifully colored animals, which in contrast to many other gobies are also relatively easy to breed.

Unfortunately, the animals are only of limited suitability for socialization, because they can be extremely quarrelsome with incorrectly selected tankmates. And so the species gradually disappeared. But some breeders and exporters remained faithful to the beautiful species and we are glad to have them once again in the stock.

The species designation is not completely certain, because there are several similar species and even specialized scientists cannot determine the species without performing genetic tests and/or without knowing the exact area of origin.

Mogurnda are free-swimming gobies and therefore do not form their territories on the bottom, as many other gobies do, but throughout the water column. The tank must be arranged rich in hiding places, so that conspecifics do not have to see each other constantly. Rainbowfish, large danios or barbs, but also robust tetras are suitable as tankmates.

Northern trout gudgeons are carnivores, plant material is ignored. Spawning is not done in caves, but on wood, stones, broad-leaved plants etc., the male guards the spawn. The sexes are most reliably distinguished by the genital papilla (males flat and acuminate, females thickened and fringed at the end), but head shape also provides good clues. Males develop a distinct humped head.

Water can be soft or hard, pH should be around neutral, temperature between 22 and 28°C. The maximum length is given with 17 cm, usually the animals reach around 10 cm, they are ready to spawn already with 6 cm length.

For our customers: the animals have code 436402 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Mugilogobius chulae

14. September 2022

After many years we have once again imported the cute brackish water goby Mugilogobius chulae. The species grows only about 4 cm long and lives in brackish water regions and in fresh waters where the tidal influence is noticeable. Our animals come from Indonesia, but the species is widely distributed in the western Pacific region (Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand). In the aquarium one should offer a sea salt addition (3-5 g/l) and pay attention to hard water, the pH value should be over 8 if possible.

Then the small goblins, whose males constantly bicker harmlessly, will do very good in the aquarium and also spawn. They are cave breeders, the male guards the spawn. The larvae are tiny and develop only in pure sea water. They feed on Euplotes and other tiny marine plankton, which can be cultivated, but this is very laborious and therefore rarely practiced.

For our customers: the animals have code 436804 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mugilogobius mertoni

14. September 2022

The genus Mugilogobius comprises 33 species. The determination of living specimens is often uncertain, because the anatomical features (especially certain sensory pits), which show quite clearly in formalin preserved animals, are not recognizable in the living fish. Since there is hardly any picture material of surely determined animals, doubts often remain. Since the species reproduce via larval stages living in the sea, the origin is also not a good criterion for identification. However: one species, which we could import from Indonesia for the first time, matches very well with Mugilogobius mertoni.

Mugilogobius mertoni grows about 6 cm long, males grow larger than females. They live very often in brackish water and can even be found in the sea, but there are also records from pure fresh water. Thus, it is a euryhaline species that copes well with widely varying salinity. It is important with such fish in the aquarium that the pH is not too low, usually they show discomfort at pH values below 8. The entire distribution area covers the Indo-Pacific region from South Africa and the Seychelles to Japan, Pakistan, the Indo-Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanatu, Australia and the Santa Cruz Islands. Our animals come from Indonesia.

They are very attractive fishes, which should be kept in aquariums rich in hiding places. As with other Mugilogobius the males are constantly up to quarrels, which are harmless in all rule, but one should give possibly stressed, inferior animals nevertheless the possibility to withdraw.

For our customers: the fish have code 436863 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pandaka rouxi

7. September 2022

The dwarf gobies of the genus Pandaka are closely related to the bumble bee gobies (Brachygobius), but still much smaller. The species Pandaka pygmea was even considered the smallest vertebrate on earth for a long time, but it has since been outranked. The species Pandaka rouxi also usually grows to only 10-12 mm in length, the largest specimen ever measured had a length of 18 mm (all sizes include caudal fin).

These dwarfs live in brackish water areas. They can tolerate both pure freshwater and pure seawater, but in the long run it does them no good. They are found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (incl. offshore islands) and probably also in Australia.

We have now for the first time imported some of these tiny fish, which when fully grown are only the size of a newborn molly, as a test. They are cute, but also demanding fish, which we will get in the future, if at all, only on special customer request. In our experience, they need well acclimated brackish water (at least 5g/l sea salt) and fine live food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). Our wholesale aquariums are simply too big for such mini-fish, you need comparatively huge amounts of food, so that everyone gets something, but of course a lot of it dies, which pollutes the water strongly. So these are fish for specialists who have appropriate small aquariums in operation. Nevertheless, we are glad to have seen this natural wonder with our own eyes!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hypseleotris compressa

7. January 2022

Sometimes it happens that even we run short in finding superlatives: in any case this fish deserves to create one! It is so beautiful…. H. compressa is a sleeper goby that lives free swimming in the water column. In contrast to many other gobies this fish is not a bottom dweller. In Germany the genus Hypseleotris is called “minnow goby”, for the fish live like schooling minnows in the open water.

Males of this goby – it occurs in the wild in northern Australia and southern New Guinea – literally switch the light on while displaying. It is highly recommended to keep several males together in one tank, so at least one is in the mood to show the fantastic colours. The females are not so deep bodied and have a rather dull coloration.

Sadly it is very difficult to breed this fish under aquarium conditions. The fish spawn readily (they are substrate brooders), but the eggs and the fry are extremely small and the offspring is able to survive only in strong brackish or marine water. Here they can be fed with live marine plankton (for example oyster larvae).

On the other hand the fish are extremely hardy and undemanding. They tolerate temperatures between 18 and 35°C and almost any water chemestry. However, medium hard water will fit best.

For our customers: the fish have code 421682 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Hypseleotris: ancient Greek, means “deep Eleotris”; Eleotris is another genus of goby. compressa: Latin, means “compressed”.

Common name: Empire gudgeon

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4 - 5

Periophthalmus novemradiatus

3. September 2021

The Indian Dwarf Mudskipper, Periophthalmus novemradiatus, is the ideal aquarium mudskipper with its usually 6 cm length (in literature up to 10 cm are given, but we have never seen such large specimens, probably this statement is based on confusion with other species). In addition to its small size, it has many other favorable attributes: it is much more peaceful than most other mudskippers, it is not very shy, and it is hardly susceptible to disease. As with most mudskippers, males can be easily distinguished from females by dorsal fin size. In males, the first dorsal-fin ray is elongate, the fin itself is larger and more colorful, and, when attached, extends well past the base of the second dorsal fin; in females, the attached first dorsal fin ends before the base of the second.

Periophthalmus novemradiatus is a coastal dweller – our specimens come from Bengal in India – and feeds on organic debris, small animals and algae left on the muddy bottom at low tide. It is, like all mudskippers, capable of living in pure freshwater and pure seawater. In practice, maintenance in brackish water (5-15 g sea salt/l) has proven best. Basically, the pH should not fall below 7. Water temperatures should be kept in the range of 20-28°C, even if the animals tolerate a little less and a little more without harm.

The care is best done in an aqua-terrarium in a larger group. In such a tank there is always something to observe. The animals are fed on a dry food basis, for variety all small frost and live foods can be given, also smallest crickets and flies are taken from time to time with pleasure. Breeding is complex (see the article by Hans-Georg Rupp in the magazine Koralle, issue 87 (2014)), but at least in principle possible.

For our customers: the animals have code 441182 on our stoclist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius doriae

3. May 2021

This is probably the most beautiful species of the bumble bee gobies, because the males (also some females) develop a splendid orange-red in the rear half of the body. The females are mostly yellow in color, but they are easily recognized by the comparatively smaller head regardless of coloration.

The species was and still is confused with B. xanthozonus. However, B. xanthozonus has more than 50 scales in the longitudinal row (our animals have a little bit more than 30); it is very questionable, if the “real” B. xanthozonus has ever been kept in the aquarium.

Brachygobius doriae grows only 3.5-4.5 cm long and therefore fits perfectly into smaller aquariums. We have magnificent animals in showsize in the stock, which come from Borneo. Some salt addition (1-2 grams per liter) does the animals good, but is not absolutely necessary. This is a brood caring species in which the male guards the spawn, which is pinned to a cave wall or the like, until the larvae hatch. After that the brood care ends.

For our customers: the animals have code 403705 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Lexicon: Brachygobius: Latin, means “short goby”. doriae: dedication name for the collector of the species, the Marquis J. Doria. xanthozonus: Latin, means “with yellow bands”.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Oligolepis acutipennis

31. March 2021

Oligolepis acutipennis is one of the most widespread gobies of the Indo-West Pacific. The species, which can grow up to 15 cm long, is distributed from South Africa via East Africa, the Persian Gulf, Madagascar, Indonesia and along the entire coast of Southeast Asia to Japan. From this wide distribution one can easily conclude that the larvae of this goby develop in the sea. However, the goby itself is euryhalin, so it can tolerate both pure freshwater and pure seawater (and any salt content in between). Only the pH-value must never drop below 7, just above 8 is better. Our specimens come from Indonesia, are 4-6 cm long and sexually fully developed. We maintain them in pH-stabilized fresh water.

When the males bicker – and they love to bicker – it is a fantastic sight. With their mouths wide open and their fins literally stretched to breaking, the males circle around each other until one of them gives up. Females are similar in colour to the males, but have less strongly developed fins. The fish are cave spawners, the male guards – as far as we know – the spawning until the hatching of the young.

The whole colouring of the fish indicates that sandy bottom is their preferred habitat. On the sand, which should be as fine as possible, a few flat stones of about 6-8 cm diameter are placed, which become the centre of the males’ territory and are undermined. Everything that fits into the (big!) mouth is eaten, even small fish, but actually the big drawer is used to chew through the sand for small food particles.

For our customers: the animals have code 439722 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Stiphodon ornatus

28. August 2020

This beautiful freshwater goby was originally described as a subspecies of Stiphodon elegans. It originates from West Sumatra (Indonesia), where it lives in clear streams. Stiphodon ornatus feeds on an Aufwuchs, i.e. it feeds on algae and the small creatures that live in them. In the aquarium any form of dry, frost and live food is gladly accepted. Unfortunately, breeding in an aquarium is hardly possible, because the tiny juveniles develop in the sea and, as is well known, the rearing of marine fish is very demanding due to the difficulty of obtaining the correct food. But even without the possibility to reproduce them, Stiphodon offer many, exciting observation possibilities.

Males and females look so different in Stiphodon ornatus (and most other Stiphodon species) that one could think they are different species and in fact they are often offered as different species by the suppliers. The females of all Stiphodon species are white with black longitudinal stripes. One can hardly distinguish the females of the different (there are 37) Stiphodon species. Males grow about 6 cm long, females stay a little smaller. Stiphodon live in a flock, only to spawn single males settle down and establish a territory. They spawn in caves, mostly under stones. The male guards the spawn until the tiny larvae hatch. The water current drifts them into the sea where the larvae spend the first weeks of their life. Then they migrate into fresh water, which they do not leave anymore for the rest of their lives.

For our customers: the animals have code 456072 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Gobiopterus chuno

5. June 2020

The glass goby, Gobiopterus chuno, is a fascinating small fish (2-3 cm), which was originally described from the estuaries of the Ganges. Now we have received glass gobies from Thailand under the name G. chuno; they look slightly different from those we know from India (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/gobiopterus_chuno_en/); it may be G. brachypterus, a species originally described from Java, but also found in Sri Lanka. There are other Gobiopterus species in the Philippines, China, Australia, New Guinea and the Nicobar Islands, but there is no current revision known that would allow to distinguish these species. We therefore keep the name G. chuno for our current imports. The photos to this post show animals from Thailand.

For our customers: the animals have code 418133 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Batanga or Dormitator lebretonis BRED

10. October 2019

This is one of the gobies imported as an ornamental fish shortly after the beginning of the 2nd century (1905) already. Since then she has always found her friends, but was never very popular in the hobby. This is probably due to the quite impressive size that this goby, which is widespread along the West African coast, can reach (up to 15 cm are given in the literature) and the fact that it is believed to have to be kept in brackish water. As with most brackish water fish, however, it is not the salt but the pH value that is important: in principle, the pH value should not fall below 8 in such animals, even at pH 7 many specimens show discomfort already. This is known from marine aquariums, where the pH must be permanently above 8.

Already in the earliest literature it is reported that the species spawns readily and the young brood is very numerous and tiny. While the old authors state that spawning takes place in plants, newer authors also describe spawning in caves (common in sleeper gobies). In nature, the gobies migrate a bit upstream during the rainy season and spawn in flooded areas in pure fresh water.

Because of the smallness of the offspring, most sleeper-gobies are hardly bred at all. We were quite surprised to be offered offspring in good size (4-5 cm). We are even more surprised, however, that these animals are obviously already sexually mature. The males have strong bulging heads, as known from Tateurndina ocellicauda, black throats and ventral fins and much larger fins than the females. In addition, they are constantly performing courtship display. Maybe our Batanga gobies originate from a dwarf form not yet documented, who knows?

Batanga (in most current literature this genus is placed in synonym of Dormitator) lebretonis is an open water fish that, unlike most gobies, swims everywhere in the middle water layers. If these gobies are constantly on the ground, something is wrong. Then the health of the animals and the pool equipment should be subjected to a critical examination.

For our customers: the animals have code 128302 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius doriae

2. September 2019

Brachygobius doriae has been confused with B. xanthozonus for decades. We also received the fish under that name and stocked it so, because almost all aquarium books and websites depict B. doriae, but name it B. xanthozonus. However, B. xanthozonus has more than 50 scales in the horizontal row (our fish have somewhat more than 30); it is very questionable if the “true” B. xanthozonus has been ever kept in aquaria. Our current stock originates from Thailand.

Brachygobius doriae becomes only 3,5 cm long and fits perfectly for small aquaria. We currently have gorgeous fish in showsize in stock. Adding some salt to the water (1-2 grams per litre) is much appreciated, but not necessary. Bumblebee gobies are broodcaring fishes. The males take care for the eggs that become attached on the wall of caves etc.. As soon as the fry swims free the broodcare ends.

For our customers: the animals have code 403703 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Brachygobius: Latin, means “short goby”. doriae: dedication name for the collector of the the fish, the Marquis J. Doria. xanthozonus: Latin, means “with yellow bands”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Giuris margaritacea

19. August 2019

When one sees these sleeper gobies from the Indo-West Pacific region, where they are very common, for the first time, one spontaneously thinks of an oversized Australian spotted goby (Mogurnda). The main difference between Giuris and Mogurnda is – aquaristically speaking – that the tiny larvae of Giuris develop in the sea, while the much larger ones of Mogurnda develop in freshwater.

In literature, Giuris margaritacea is described as a euryhaline fish that can live equally well in fresh, brackish or salt water. But at least the colourful population from Indonesia, which we have just been able to import, is probably a freshwater fish.

The extremely wide distribution of the species from the East African coast, the Indonesian islands, the Philippines, the western Australian coast and along the coast of Southeast Asia stands in strange contradiction to the rarity of these really magnificent fish in the hobby. G. margaritacea even seems to be a quite compatible animal. At least in the photo basin the couple (the female can be recognized by the clearly smaller and shorter first dorsal fin; the colour differences are rather mood-related) got along very well. By the way, aquarium observations indicate that this up to 40 cm long goby feeds mainly on insects and is not a fish-eater like the marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata). Nevertheless, one should be careful with community fish, all fish that fit into the mouth are endangered.

We could now import some 15-20 cm long, quite splendid specimens of this goby, which is also called Ophieleotris aporos (Manila goby) in the older aquarium literature.

For our customers: the animals have code 418124 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius sp. Ocelot

1. February 2019

Again we could import this new species of dwarf bumble-bee goby. This tiny fish becomes only 2 cm long. It cannot be applied to any described species so far. The fish have been collected in Indonesia.

In Brachygobius, one very important feature for determination is the question wether the predorsal region is scaled or naked. This can be easily recognized even on a good photo. Our new fish have a naked predorsal region. In combination with coloration and origin this makes it very likely that our fish represents a species unknown to science so far.

The coloration varies extremely in this species and it seems that there are not even two specimens that have the very same pattern. We have decided to name them provisionally “Ocelot”. In any case this dwarf bumble-bee goby is an attractive enrichment of the species available for small aquaria.

For our customers: the fish have code 407232 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Lentipes ikeae

30. November 2018

The goby subfamily Sicydiinae currently comprises nine genera with 129 species. They are all current-loving animals, which occur in nature mainly in clear streams and feed on Aufwuchs and small animals. Larval development takes place in the sea. Some neon gobies of the genus Stiphodon are particularly popular, while representatives of other genera are very rarely traded.

We have now received the species Lentipes ikeae from Indonesia for the first time. The species is known from Java and Bali, it was scientifically described in 2014. The maximum size of L. ikeae is 4-5 cm. They are peaceful and sociable animals that like to climb out of the water with their well-developed sucker formed from the pelvic fins. In nature they overcome waterfalls that way. In the aquarium one should therefore ensure good coverage, otherwise the migratory instinct could have fatal consequences.

By the way, the species name does not refer to the Swedish furniture store, but honors the employee of the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Bogor, Java, Indonesia, Mrs. Ike Rachmatika.

For our customers: the animals have code 423632 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Schismatogobius risdawatiae

11. October 2018

The dragonet gobies (Schismatogobius) are small species of freshwater gobies, that reach between 3 and 5 cm length. They live in small rivulets near the coast but above the tide on sandy bottoms. Here they burry themselves very fast if necessary. The larvae devolop – as far as this known – in the sea. The ability to change coloration is phenomenal in these gobies. The genus Schismatogobius has been established in 1912, 10 species have been accepted since then. Two of them, S. ampluvinculus and S. roxasi, we have introduced to you already (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/?s=schismatogobius).

The year 2017 sees an explosion of newly decribed species in Schismatogobius. First, in a revision of the species occuring from Papua-New Guinea to Samoa, 7 new species have been described, shortly later, in a revision of the species from Indondesia, 4 new species.

We have imported this week Schismatogobius from Indonesia. All the species from Indonesia look very similar to each other and occur in direct neighbourhood; this makes the determination a difficult thing. The scientific deliminations of the species base on DNA-analyses and characters not visible in live specimens. We deny killing specimens for determination purposes. But we are pretty sure that our new importations belong to the species Schismatogaobius risdawatiae, described in July 2017 from Sumatra, due to the very special coloration of the pectoral fins, which are visible in specimens photographed over white bottom from top. S. risdawatiae is a small species, reaching only 2.5-3 cm length (without the caudal fin). The charming animals are absolutely an enrichment for the aquarium hobby.

For our customers: the fish have code 454842 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Literature:

Keith, P., C. Lord and H. K. Larson (2017): Review of Schismatogobius (Gobiidae) from Papua New Guinea to Samoa, with description of seven new species. Cybium v. 41 (no. 1): 45-66.

Keith, P., C. Lord, H. Darhuddin, G. Limmon, T. Sukmono, R. Hadiaty and N. Hubert (2017): Schismatogobius (Gobiidae) from Indonesia, with description of four new species. Cybium v. 41 (no. 2): 195-211.

Bostrychus zonatus

4. October 2018

The beautiful animal is widespread in fresh and brackish water in New Guinea and northern Australia. It is therefore a good idea to keep for it together with rainbowfish from this region.

The colouring can change very quickly depending on the mood, excited animals become very rich in contrast.

For our customers: the fish have code 396503 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Periophthalmus barbarus

16. May 2018

The mudskippers (Periophthalmus) are among the most fascinating fishes at all. One can observe mother nature´s laboratory and how an aquatic animal becomes a landdwelling animal based on the observation of these fishes.

The Atlantic Mudskipper (P. barbarus) attains a maximum length of about 15 cm and is one of the larger species of the genus. Males can be easily recognized by the enormous large first dorsal fin. However, males are very aggressive against each other and it is hardly possible to keep two of them together on a long time sight. The tank for mudskippers should be furnished as an aqua-terrarium. Females are somewhat less aggressive. One can compare the level of aggressiveness best with certain species of cichlids, like Tropheus or Petrochromis. Mudskippers are very intelligent and belong to the few species of small fish that really become tame. If the keeper is interested in this the mudskipper can be trained for example to come on the keeper´s hand to take food from the fingers.

We have P. barbarus almost anytime in stock. Feeding them is simple, as they take readily any type of usual fish food, even flakes. A slight addition of seasalt (2-5 g/l) is positive for them, as it helps to keep the pH stable over 8. A lower pH is hardly tolerable for these fish.

For our customers: the animals have code 156503 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Sicyopus rubicundus

4. April 2018

We received from Indonesia once more a nice shipment containing pretty Sicyopus gobies. These gobies are – despite the external similarity – not feeding on Aufwuchs and microfilm like Stiphodon and Sicyopterus, but are little predators that feed on quite large food items. These include also very small fish and shrimps up to a length of about 1 cm, although the gobies become only 5-6 cm long and are very slender fish.

In respect of the determination there appeared at lot of trouble. Initially the fish were totally colourless and we thought they would belong to the species Sicyopus zosterophorum (Bleeker 1856); but then many males obtained full coloration and were pretty sure that the fish are S. exillisquamulus Watson & Kottelat 1994 – or at least almost sure. For in the latest scientific literature the species S. exillisquamulus has been considered to be a synonym of Sicyopus auxilimentus Watson & Kottelat 1994.

Finally Laurent Tyty kindly gave us the crucial hint that according to the most current scientific literature (Keith et al., 2015) our fish is actually S. rubicundus Keith, Hadiaty, Busson & Hubert, 2014; S. auxilimentus (besides S. exillisquamulus an additional synonym is, fide Keith et al., S. cebuensis Chen & Shao, 1998) has in contrast to S. rubicundus no orange lips.

Our first importation of S. rubicundus dates back to the year 2006. At that time we termed them Sicyopus sp. Red. The species is distinguished from S. zosterophorum by the lack of a black stripe under the eye, bright orange lips and the lack of clearly visible vertical stripes. Moreover the basic coloration of S. rubicundus is rather orange and in S. zosterophorum red. The females of both species are almost colorless.

: For comparison: Sicydium zosterophorum

: For comparison: Sicydium zosterophorum

Sicyopus are inhabitants of brooks and like clear, clean, and running water, hiding places and sandy bottom. Sicyopus regulary spawn in aquaria, they are cave brooders, but the larvae are very tiny and develop in marine environements. We have not heard so far from a successful rearing of the larvae under hobby conditions.

For our customers: the animls have code 456183 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Literature:

Keith, P., C. Lord & K. Maeda (2015): Indo-Pacific Sicydiine gobies. Biodiversity, life traits and conservation. Société Française d’Ichtyologie, Paris. 1-256.

Odonteleotris macrodon

23. March 2018

We obtained from Thailand five specimens of that odd goby which are about 15 cm long. Our first idea was that they would belong to the species Oxyeleotris urophthalmus. The genus Oxyeleotris is repersented by three species in Thailand, two of them with an ocellus in the upper part of the caudal peduncle. Both are very similar to each other externally. Another very similar species from Thailand, also with an Ocellus, is Bostrychus sinensis. All of them attain a length of about 20 cm. Smith (1945) gives the best identification key available so far for the three species. According to him, Bostrychus sinensis has very small scales, about 140 in lateral line and very small teeth that are arranged in bands. Oxyeleotris has canine teeth. O. siamensis has about 90 scales in lateral line (about 40 predorsal scales), a small barbel on both sides of the upper jaw and the snout is unscaled. O. urophthalmus has 70-75 scales in lateral line (about 30 predorsal scales), no barbels and a scaled snout.

Our fish have canine teeth, no barbels, about 75 scales in lateral line and about 20 predorsal scales (these counts were made from photos) and no visible scales on the snout. So the results do not fit for one of the two Oxyeleotris species, although it is pretty difficult to get proper counts of the small scales that are embedded in thick mucus.

We had to start again. We found Odonteleotris macrodon, a species with a very wide distrubution from India to Malaysia and Indonesia. This species also has an ocellus. Although the scale counts do not fit perfectly (this species has usually about 90 scales in lateral line) all other external features do.

So obviously Odonteleotris macrodon also occurs in Thailand, a finding that is not much surprising, but not reported so far in the scientific literature.

Odonteleotris macrodon is a brackish water species that is also found in pure freshwater. It attains a maximum length of about 30 cm and is a predatory fish. The larvae develop as far as it is known in marine environment.

For our customers: the animals have code 414745 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Stiphodon semoni

22. March 2017

Once more we were able to import one of the gorgeous gobies belonging to the genus Stiphodon. This time we most likely received Stiphodon semoni, a species that is known for a long time already scientifically. It has been described already back in 1895. The species has a wide distribution, it is known from Sulawesi, Bali, New Guinea (Irian Jaya), generally in Indonesia, in the west to the Solomon Islands. The larvae of this species develop in marine environment, so the wide distribution is not so astonishing. The adults are strictly freshwater fish that prefer clear, small streams.

The members of the genus Stiphodon are in general termed as „neon gobies“, but this fits especially for S. semoni. Keeping these fish is pretty easy, Stiphodon are very peaceful fish. They should be kept in groups. In that case they show a lot of interesting behaviour. The bottom of the tank should be furnished with round river stones of about 6-8 cm diameter, and portions of sandy bottom. Of course these current loving fish should have a good filtration in their tank. The water temperature can be between 24 and 28 °C.

For our customers: the fish have code 456103 on our stocklsit. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius sabanus Thailand

20. March 2017

We received this pretty species of bumblebee goby from Thailand. The determination of bumblebee gobies often proofes to be quite tricky; usually a big questionmark has to be set behind the names. Brachybobius sabanus has been described initially from Borneo (Sabah), our fish have been collected in Thailand. But the illustration accompanying the original description of B. sabanus fits very good for our specimens.

B. sabanus attains a maximum length of about 2.5 cm. The coloration differs a lot individually. The species inhabits pure freshwater habitats. We were very glad to observe a spawning in our facility. But we thought the eggs would suffer from fungus quite fast. When the male was defending the whitish eggs still for days we took a closer look and discovered that the eyes of the offspring were already visible in the eggs. In fact it was the white yolk sack, not fungus that made the eggs look white! Sadly the larvae hatched on weekend in the night when no one was in our fishhouse. But we think an experienced hobbyist should be able to raise Brachygobius sabanus without problems.

For our customers: the fish have code 407252 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Stiphodon semoni

15. March 2017

Once more we were able to import one of the gorgeous gobies belonging to the genus Stiphodon. This time we most likely received Stiphodon semoni, a species that is known for a long time already scientifically. It has been described already back in 1895. The species has a wide distribution, it is known from Sulawesi, Bali, New Guinea (Irian Jaya), generally in Indonesia, in the west to the Solomon Islands. The larvae of this species develop in marine environment, so the wide distribution is not so astonishing. The adults are strictly freshwater fish that prefer clear, small streams.

For our customers: the fish have code 456103 on our stocklsit. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Papuligobius uniporus

15. June 2016

For the first time ever we were able to import this interesting freshwater-goby from Vietnam. The species and the genus have been described only in 2003. Papuligobius uniporus attains a maximum length of about 7.5 cm. There exists only one other species in the genus, namely P. ocellatus, which has been described already in 1937, but which obviously never appeared in the aquarium hobby. The easiest way to distinguish the two species is the coloration of the caudal fin, which is striped in P. ocellatus, and the coloration of the basis of the pectoral fin. Here P. uniporus has three eye-spots, P. ocellatus only one.

Against conspecifics P. uniporus can be a bit quarrelsome. The species has the ability to change the coloration drastically. Most often they look almost deep black, but they can also show a light stripe or a marbled pattern.

These gobies have no special demands regarding water chemistry. They feed readily on any type of frozen of life food that fits the mouth.

For our customers: the fish have code 441076 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Oxyeleotris marmorata

26. January 2016

Most
gobies live in the sea. And most gobies stay small, usually less than
10 cm. So Oxyeleotris marmorata, the Marbled Sleepergoby, is an
exception in more than only one respect. The species is a giant among
the gobies and becomes more than 50 cm long. And usually it lives in
pure freshwater; only occasionally it is found in brackish water.

Oxyeleotris
marmorata is a predator. A short look in the open mouth of the fish
says more than thousand words. The species can swallow fish that have
about have of the length of the goby itself. However, when kept in an
aquarium this creature becomes very tame and can be easily fed via a
forceps. Juveniles also feed on earthworms and frozen fish food.

The
Marbled Sleepergoby is a calm fish that will not swim if it is not
necessary. So the species does not need – compared with the size of the
fish – very large aquaria. 200 litres per animal are quite acceptable.
However, they are kept best alone, only one fish per tank, because they
can be pretty pugnacious against conspecifics.

Oxyeleotris
is a cave spawner that produces tens of thousands of eggs. The eggs are
really tiny. There are no reports of a successful breeding in
captivity, but most probably it has never been tried at all. The species
has a very wide distribution in South-East Asia and is very common
wherever it appears.

We have obtained juveniles recently, so fans of predatory fish have now the chance to risk an attempt.

For our customers: the fish have code 440972 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rhinogobius maculafasciatus

3. November 2015

Once
more we are able to offer a species of freshwater goby that was not
imported so far to Europe: Rhinogobius maculafasciatus. The species has
been described scientifically only in 1996 from Taiwan; our specimens
originate from Taiwan. So we are comparatively sure that the
determination is correct. Determination of a Rhinogobius is not that
easy usually, currently are not less than 116 species described
scientifically!

Rhinogobius
maculafasciatus becomes about 4-7 cm long. Males can be easily
recognized by the shape of the head and the yellow bands in the dorsal
fins. The intensity of the dark bands on the body depends very much on
the mood of the animals. In specimens in neutral mood or disturbed
individiuals the band can almost vanish. Only the red spots all over the
body always stay visible.

For
our customers: the animals have code 453473 on our stocklist. Please
note the we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited
numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Butis koilomatodon

26. June 2015

We received this sleeper goby for the first time. The animals originate from Thailand. Some author place this species also in the genus Prionobutis. It attains a maximum length of about 8 cm and is one of the smaller sleepers. Like all Butis species B. koilomatodon is able to swim and hunt in every thinkable position, often upside down. The species can be told apart from its congeneers at the first glimpse by the blunt profile of the head.

Against conspecifics this species is quarrelsome. So one has to keep in them is well structured tanks with a lot of hiding-places. It is not necessary to feed these predatory fish with live food, they readly accept frozen food as well, like Artemia, bloodworm etc.. However, one has to keep in mind that smaller fish, shrimps, etc. will be taken for food by the goby.

Butis koilomatodon has an extremely wide range. It is not only known from the Indo-West-Pacific region, but also from the eastern Pacific, the eastern and the western Atlantic. This distribution clearly shows that the larvae develop in marine environment. The adult goby accepts pure freshwater as easy as pure marine water. However, for the long-time sight we suggest to keep them in brackish environment, eg 5-10 grams salt per litre.

For our customers: the animals have code 414803 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-6

Rhinogobius duospilus (= R. wui)

10. April 2015

Gobies
become more and more popular in the hobby. A real classic is R.
duospilus, which was known under the name of R. wui for a long time.
Nowadays R. wui is considered to be a synonym of R. duospilus. This
small goby becomes only 4 cm long. In the wild it lives in brooks. Any
addition of salt is unnecessary. The males build burrows under stones.
Here the fish spawn. The comparatively large larvae can be raised rather
easily. Due to the origin of the species (southern China) it can be
kept without a heater. The water temperature can be between 16 and 26°C.

For our customers: the fish have code 453493 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Stiphodon atropurpureus

23. March 2015

The
neon gobies of the genus Stiphodon are all very beautiful fishes. None
of the currently known 33 species becomes larger than 5-7 cm, most of
them stay much smaller. Despite the fact that adult Stiphodon live
exclusively in pure freshwater the larvae can develop only in marine
waters. This is the reason why species of Stiphodon live in brooks
nearby the sea. They spawn underneath stones. The males guard the eggs
until they hatch. The extremely small larvae become drifted in the sea
by the current. Here they develop.

Stiphodon
atropurpureus has a comparatively wide distribution, because the larvae
drift over a wide area in the ocean. The species is known from Japan,
Taiwan (from here originate the fish we have in stock), Malaysia, the
Philippines, and southern China. Like all species of Stiphodon they live
in larger schools that are formed of animals of both sexes. Females are
by far less colourful. Only when a male gets in mood for brooding it
builds up a small territory on its own. Here it displays its most
brilliant colours. After the larvae have hatched the male gets a paler
coloration again (however, it is still beautiful then) and turns back to
the school.

Keeping
neon gobies is quite easy. They feed basically on Aufwuchs in the wild,
in the aquarium they prefer small food items, like food tablets and
frozen cyclops. Of course they also gnaw a bit on algae, but they cannot
be termed as regular algae eaters.

For our customers: the fish have code 456083 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Schismatogobius roxasi

17. March 2015

The
genus Schismatogobius contents currently 10 described species. All are
small, only 3-5 cm long pure freshwater inhabitants. As no species is of
commercial value and the tiny fish burry themselves extremely fast in
the sand when disturbed the whole genus is only very unsatisfyingly
researched so far. Two species have been reported fromTaiwan:
Schismatogobius ampluvinculus (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/miscellaneous-en/Schismatogobius_ampluvinculus_en/),
which has been described scientifically only in 1995, and S. roxasi.
Both species are vey similar to each other, but only S. ampluviculus
exhibits in some moods the strange, very contrasting black-and-white
banding. We were able to import both species currently in small numbers.
The S. roxasi are the first ones that reached us.

In
this goby the females are more colorful than the males. Females have a
broad orange saddle on the back. The males can be recognized by the
enormous mouth cleft. One should keep these extremely rare gobies in an
unheated tank with sandy bottom, pebbles and a good current.

For
our customers: the fish have code 454832 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only very few specimens
available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Tateurndina ocellicauda

10. December 2014

This wonderful goby originates from Papua-Newguinea, but in the trade almost exclusively bred specimens are available. The fish belongs to the so-called sleeper-gobies. These fish have been named after a reflecting layer over their eyes. This looked for the first observers as if the fish would have closed its eyes for sleep. T. ocellicauda becomes around 5-6 cm long.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nachzucht/bred

Tateurndina ocellicauda

10. December 2014

We
received wonderful, fully grown bred specimens of this beautiful, small
freshwater goby. Dominant old males develop a mighty humphead, females a
round belly swollen from eggs. For more information, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/miscellaneous-en/Tateurndina_ocellicauda_en/

For our customers: the fish have code 461004 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rhinogobius formosanus

1. November 2014

We received again this pretty freshwater goby from Taiwan. The determination of the numerous species of Rhinogobius is often very difficult (see also http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/rhinogobius-rubromaculatus_en_1637.html). R. formosanus is a pleasant exception of that rule, for it differs from all species of Rhinogiobius from Taiwan by the unique red coloration of the face. Taiwan was formerly known under the name of Formosa, this is why the species bears its specific name. Males and females look quite similar in R. formosanus, but the males have longer skulls and a differently marked dorsal fin.

This species of Rhinogobius becomes about 8 cm long. One should keep the fish at room temperatures (16-22°C) in a tank that is furnished like a brook, eg sandy bottom and larger, rounded stones. Regarding food this species is completely undemanding and readily accepts all types of usual food for ornamental fish. However, one should be careful with worms, like Tubifex, for that food is very fatty and in the wild Rhinogobius have only very nutrient-poor food available. So worms should not be given very often.

For our customers: the animals have code 453463 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Rhinogobius: means “goby with a nose”. formosanus: means “originating from Formosa”.

Suggestion of a common name: Formosa brook goby

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Taiwan
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-6

Rhinogobius rubromaculatus

26. September 2014

In the aquarium hobby we only started in discovering the large diversity of the small freshwater gobies of the genus Rhinogobius. This time the scientists were faster: 116 species have been described to date already! Sadly the distinguishing features that allow the determination of the species cannot be seen in many cases in live specimens. This does not mean that the different species all look the same, but it is currently almost impossible to apply the correct name on them. Moreover we hardly ever know where the fish have been collected.

We were able to import a new, pretty species under the name of “Rhinogobius chrysanthemum” via Hongkong. However, this name does not exist at all, it is a mere fiction. The only about 4 cm long species looks most like Rhinogobius rubromaculatus. So this is the name we used to list the fish on our stocklist.

Keeping the nice fish is rather easy and can be compared to that of the well known Rhinogobius duospilus (also known under the synonym R. wui).

For our customers: the animals have code 453482 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	China
Verfügbare Größe in cm	3-4

Stigmatogobius sadanundio

21. July 2014

Most species of goby are ground dwelling fishes. Only few species have a free swimming behaviour. The knight goby is one of these rare exceptions. We can offer this pretty goby from India on a regular basis. Knight gobies live in estuaries and can live both in pure fresh and in pure marine water. However, it is best to keep them in brackish water (5-10 grams salt per litre).

The eyes of the knight goby have a reflecting layer. This led to the popular name “sleeper gobies” for the realtionship of the knight goby. Not so long ago the sleeper gobies were even thought to represent a family on their own.

This week we obtained an import of extraordinary beautiful knight gobies from India. Obviously they have currently breeding season over there. The species spawns on stones, roots etc. Sadly the larvae are extremely tiny and need full strength sea water, so no successful breeding has been reported so far. But even without breeding: knight gobies are wonderful fish! The species becomes about 8-10 cm long.

For our customers: the fish have code 456003 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Stigmatogobius: means “goby with spots”. sadanundio: from the local Bengal name for the species.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-7

Violet Gobies arrived!

24. June 2014

Sadly
we can offer the Violet Goby, Gobioides broussonnetii, only very
occasionally. Now we obtained once more a shipment from Colombia that
contained this odd bottom dweller. The maximum length reported in
literature for this fish is around 40 cm. These gobies are absolutely
peaceful plankton feeders. Fine sand should be offered for this fish on
the bottom of the tank.

For our customers: the fish have code 254683 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Odontamblyopus rubicundus

5. May 2014

This
goby from the lower reaches of the river Ganges belongs clearly to the
category “faces that can be loved only by a mother”. Despite the look
the fish that can reach up to 25 cm in length are very interesting. One
should be careful with possible tankmates. Any fish that fits the mouth
will be swallowed. The victim can be almost half as long as the
predator. And no fish will ever escape when it is once grappled by these
fangs… However, fish that are too large to be eaten are completely
ignored by Odontamblyopus rubicundus.

For our customers: the animals have code 439713 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Boleophthalmus boddarti

10. March 2014

The mudskippers (Oxudercinae) represent a subfamily on their own within the goby family (Gobiidae). One can observe all steps from “normal”, aquatic species (for example in the genus Apocryptes) to partially land-dwelling, amphibic species (Periophthalmus) within the Oxudercinae. Members of the genus Boleophthalmus don´t leave the water completely, but can be found in zones of the bank in which the water hardly covers the body.

Boleophthalmus are exclusively found in the tidal zone. During the flood they hide and cover on holes in the ground, during the low tide they search for food around their burrow. They feed with the extremely broad mouth on the upper layer of the silt and filter out all edible parts. The area around the burrow is heavily defended against conspecifics.

In the aquarium Boleophthalmus must be kept in brackish water in along term sight. Of course these fish are completely euryhalin (this means they can live in pure freshwater as well as in pure seawater); however, they are extremely sensitive against nitrite and nitrate in freshwater. Boleophthalmus can be fed problem-free with flake food which is quite equal to their natural food. The fish should be kept in a tank that imitates a bank with a shallow sand strand. It is not necessary to imitate the tide.

We were able to import the splendid Bolephthalmus boddarti from India. Our specimens are 8-10 cm long and sexually mature already. Maximum length reported in literature is around 20 cm. Males can be recognized by the much long filaments of the first dorsal fin and the broader head.

For our customers: the fish have code 396403 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Wonderful Neon gobies arrived

7. March 2014

The Neon gobies of the genus Stiphodon are very difficult to determine, for the larvae develop in marine environment; so the species have a very wide distribution. The adult fish, however, live exclusively in freshwater.

The males can change their coloration in a glimpse; the mating coloration is species-specific. Different species look extremely similar in neutral colour, see for example the picture with Stiphodon cf. atratus and S. ornatus. Our specimens belong in all probability for the larger part to the species Stiphodon ornatus, among them are a few Stiphodon weberi as by-catch.

Neon gobies are very peaceful fish that feed on Aufwuchs. They prefer clear, clean and fast running water.

For our customers: the fish have code 456072 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudapocryptes elongatus

20. January 2014

We could import this charming goby once more from India. It is a kind of mudskipper, but does never leave the water completely. It only swims in very shallow water. Against each other these mudskippers are absolutely peaceful. They feed readily on any type of usual fishfood. The maximum length is around 20 cm, but most specimens stay much smaller (around 12 cm).

For our customers: the animals have code 445553 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rhinogobius formosanus

1. October 2013

We could import this pretty brook-goby from Taiwan. The specific name of the fish refers to the old name of the island – Taiwan was formerly known as Formosa. The fish can attain a maximum length of about 8 cm. One should not keep them along with too small other fish, for the gobies may take them happily for food.

For our customers: the fish have code 453463 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius doriae

5. June 2013

This is by far the most beautiful species of the bumblebee gobies. The males develop a splendid orange-red in the vertical bands of the body and tail. Females most often have yellow bands, but despite the colours they can be easily recognized by the comparably smaller head.

The species has been confused with B. xanthozonus for decades. We also received the fish under that name and stocked it so, because almost all aquarium books and websites depict B. doriae, but name it B. xanthozonus. However, B. xanthozonus has more than 50 scales in the horizontal row (our fish have somewhat more than 30); it is very questionable if the “true” B. xanthozonus has been ever kept in aquaria.

Brachygobius doriae becomes only 3,5 cm long and fits perfectly for small aquaria. We currently have gorgeous fish in showsize in stock. Adding some salt to the water (1-2 grams per litre) is much appreciated, but not necessary. Bumblebee gobies are broodcaring fishes. The males take care for the eggs that become attached on the wall of caves etc.. As soon as the fry swims free the broodcare ends.

For our customers: the animals have code 403705 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Brachygobius: Latin, means “short goby”. doriae: dedication name for the collector of the the fish, the Marquis J. Doria. xanthozonus: Latin, means “with yellow bands”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia

Rhinogobius zhoui, flame goby

24. May 2013

This freshwater goby, which attains a maximum length of 4-5 cm, is one of the most attractive discoveries of ornamental fish of the last years. However, in the beginning the fish were extremely expensive. Currently we can offer them for the first time for a comparably moderate price.

Rhinogobius zhoui originates from China. In the natural habitat – brooks – it lives along with the well known goby Rhinogobius duospilus (often better known under the synonymous name R. wui) and other species. R. zhoui is a pure freshwater goby. One should keep them in unheated aquaria (16-22°C) due to the subtropical region the fish come from. The water should be clean and have some current. Keeping and feeding the fish is otherwise unproblematical.

Males are distinguished from the females by the broad white seams in the fins and the more intensive colours. The small fish change their coloration quite often and quick. It is a lot of fun to observe an aquarium that contains these tiny gobies that are always in the mood for a harmless quarrel.

For our customers: the fish have code 453497 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mogurnda adspersa

2. April 2013

We obtained wonderful, 6-8 cm long German bred specimens of this Australian sleeper goby.

For our customers: the animals have code 436353 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Acentrogobius globiceps

27. September 2012

We were able to import once more this nice, only very occasionally available goby from India. The species becomes only 5-7 cm long. A slight addition of seasalt (one spoonful per 10 litres of water) is quite beneficial for the fish. The determination is only preliminary due to the complicated situation in gobies; the fish may possibly belong to the species A. moloanus.

For our customers: the fish have code 361783 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Brachygobius aggregatus – one of the smallest fishes of the World

6. June 2011

All species of bumblebee gobies (Brachygobius) are small or very small fishes. The debate which is the smallest fish of the world (and coincidently the smallest vertebrate of the world) is still going on; however, it is quite difficult to decide, whether it makes sense to debate about differences of tenth of millimeters in live organisms. May this be as it wants: we are proud to present to you one of the smallest species of fish at all, which we were able once more to import from Vietnam: Brachygobius aggregatus.

The males of this tiny bumblebee goby become (at least in the wild) about 10 mm long, females 15 mm. It may be that they grow a little bit larger under aquarium conditions, but this does not matter at all.

Brachygobius aggregatus is a freshwater goby and very easy to keep. It is absolutely undemanding regarding water chemistry. Medium hard water and a pH around 7 may be ideal. The water temperature may be between 18 and 28°C. Fishes of that size are best fed with live brine shrimp nauplia (Artemia). Of course they feed also happily on any other type of live and frozen food, but live food is often difficult to obtain and frozen food difficult to dose. Thus the easy to breed brine shrimp nauplia are the best choice. It is no problem to feed the Brachygobius aggregatus exclusively with this food.

For our customers: the animals have code 407101 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Brachygobius: from ancient Greek, means “short Gobius”; Gobius is another genus of goby. aggregatus: Latin, means “aggregate”, for the fish were found to be schooling.

Suggestion of a common name: Mekong dwarf bumblebee goby, for there is a scientific investigation going on, whether the Mekong species (which we have currently imported) is really identical with B. aggregatus, which is described from the Philippines.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Vietnam
Verfügbare Größe in cm	1 - 2

Stiphodon sp. Spotted Head

25. January 2011

Code: 456043

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-5

Gobiopterus chuno

9. April 2010

Glass perches and glass catfish are well known and common aquarium fish. But do you know glass gobies, too? The members of the genus Gobiopterus (there are so far 9 known species) are tiny freshwater gobies. They reach only 2-3 cm length and are so transparent that the observer can see how a food item wanders from the mouth to the inevitable end.

Currently we were able to import Gobiopterus chuno from Bengal. This glass goby is a schooling fish and lives – in contrast to most other species of goby – free swimming in the water column. The behaviour of that fish is best comparable with that of the Cardinal tetra. Often the fish stand in the water, twitching with the fins; and then they swim around in schools again.

These gobies feed on live and frozen food. It is the easiest thing to feed them with Artemia nauplii, which are taken readily. Gobiopterus can also be found in brackish water. So it is possible to add a spoonful of seasalt per 10 litres of water. This makes the Artemia live longer.

In nature, these tiny gobies reproduce the whole year through. The genital papillae of males and females look different, moreover the eggs in ripe females can be observed in the belly. By the way: the red spot behind the swimming bladder is the liver. It contains so much blood that it looks red due to the erythrocytes.

For our customers: the fish have code 418133 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Gobiopterus: ancient Greek, means “goby with wings”. chuno: after the vernacular name of the species in Bengal.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	2-3

Mugilogobius rexi

16. March 2010

This small, yellow goby is a free swimming species, in contrast to most of the other gobies. Maximum length is about 4-5 cm. Territorial males become bright yellow and also develope larger fins with dark bands. Females are much paler in coloration and have translucent fins.

The species is restrictet to Sulawesi and even on that island it occurs only in two lakes, namely Towuti and Mahalona. The water in these lakes is very warm (29°C and more), very clean, slightly alcalic (pH 7.5) and the conductivity is about 225 µS/cm.

The charming fish already spawned in aquaria. The eggs are laid open, attached on vertical structures in a circle-round batch. However, to the best of our knowledge there was no complete successful breeding so far.

For our customers: the fish has code 436812 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Mugilogobius: latin, means “mullet-goby”. rexi: dedication name.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Sulawesi
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-5

Schismatogobius ampluvinculus

9. February 2010

We received for the first time now this cute goby from Taiwan. Especially when it is in the right mood it looks extremely pretty due to its contrasting black-and-white coloration. One of the generic characteristics of Schismatogobius is the fact that they have an individual coloration: there are not even two specimens with the exact same coloration. But their ability of changing the coloration is also very spectacular. It is sometimes hard to believe that all fish belong to the very same species.

Adults of Schismatogobius are restricted to fresh water. Here they live usually in larger groups in shallow parts of running water bodies. When disturbed they bury themselves very fast by wriggling moves. The species S. ampluvinculus is known to inhabit pebbly ground.

Sadly so far no successful breeding report appeared on one of the about 10 Schismatogobius species, although they spawn quite readily. The extreme tiny larvae develop probably only in marine environment. When keeping S. ampluvinculus it is very important to keep in mind that it is a subtropical species and should therefore be kept under temperate conditions. Feeding is unproblematic: they readily take frozen and live food.

For our customers: the fish has code 454812 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Taiwan
Verfügbare Größe in cm	2-5

Stiphodon semoni

25. July 2008

(23.Aug.2008) From Indonesia we received this beautiful neon-blue goby. Stiphodon semoni grows up to 4-5cm and was
several times imported under the wrong name Sthiphodon elegans. Its habitats are fast floating hillstreams with
rocky ground. It is found in Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guniea and the Solomon Islands. The nourishment
for this item is easy: we feed it dry food and life Tubifex. All in all a very fabulous goby which should be
kept by advanced hobbyists.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien
Verfügbare Größe in cm	3-4

Sicyopus zosterophorum

5. October 2007

Actually in small numbers available: Sicyopus zosterophorum. This loach is coming from the Pinang river in the western part of Sumatra. Until now they were not imported in big numbers, so we do not know much about keeping them. But an experienced hobbyist should not be faced with big problems with keeoping this item.

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	West Sumatra
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-7

Acentrogobius viridipunctatus

6. July 2007

This magnificent goby, it´s scientific name is Acentrogobius viridipunctatus, has now been successfully imported from India for the first time in greater numbers. The species attains a length of maximum 15 cm. Fully grown males have a very thick skull. In breeding mood, the fish become complete black in base colour, on which the emerald spots contrast – an outstanding beautyfull look that led to popular name „midnight goby“. Additionally, the bright band in the caudal fin becomes deep orange. In nature, this fish lives in the lower parts of rvers and thatfor like some salt addition. However, if the water is hard enough (from 10° DGH upwarts), they also stay in perfect health in pure fresh water. This goby is very peaceful, but breeding habits will be defended against intruders. It feeds on all usual type of frozen and live food. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien
Name	Acentrogobius viridipunctatus

Awaous cf. lateristriga

6. July 2007

From the coastal ranges of the western Africa between Senegal and Angola originates the freshwater goby Awaous lateristriga. The animal introduced here reminds strongly of this species, whether it is identical to it could yet not be determined. With an overall length of approx. 30 cm Awaous lateristriga belongs to the larger gobys. In their habitat they inhabit fresh water biotopes such as swamps, flooded fields and periodically draining rivers and also brackish water biotopes. Since they are imported only very rarely, nearly nothing is known about their maintenance in aquaria. Related species such as Awaous flavus are maintained occasionally in aquariums and also bred in some rare cases. With their maintenance and breeding a changing salinity of the water plays a crucial role. This corresponds to their life cycle, since the larvae are born in the fresh water, then drift passively in the sea or in estuaries, in order to ascend after some months again in the fresh water. There then the adults live and the reproduction cycle starts again.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Westafrika vom Senegal bis Angola

Micropercops swinhonis

6. July 2007

One of the most beautiful new fish species of 2003 is this goby, which is rather widely spread in China, Korea and Japan. Already in 1873 Günther described it under the name Eleotris swinhonis of Shanghai, China, but it made its way to our tanks only now. It can reach a maximum size of approx. 8cm. They are peaceful fish, which must not be kept too warm – according to their subtropical origin. 18-22°C are ideal. They eat every frozen and alive food of adequate size, after habituation many specimen also accept dry food. As no regular imports of this beautiful species are made from the spreading area, the currently available fish are German bred. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	China, Japan, Korea