Our Guide To Keeping Red Belted Goby Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Sicyopus zosterophorus
   • Common name: Red Belted Goby
   • Family: Gobiidae
   • Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia
   • Adult length: 4 to 5 cm
   • Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
   • Diet: Carnivore
   • Care Level: Moderate to Difficult
   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive (especially males)

2. Tank Setup:

   • Red Belted Gobies thrive in a fast-flowing stream-style tank with smooth rocks, rounded pebbles, and scattered driftwood.
   • A sand or fine gravel substrate mimics their natural habitat and supports grazing behavior.
   • A tightly fitting lid is important, as these gobies are known jumpers.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Maintain a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 for optimal health.
   • Keep the water temperature between 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F).
   • Soft to moderately hard water is ideal, with excellent water clarity.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Strong filtration with high water turnover is critical to replicate their natural fast-moving environment.
   • Powerheads or stream pumps can help create directional flow across the tank.

5. Diet:

   • Red Belted Gobies are carnivorous micropredators and prefer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
   • They may ignore dry or flake foods, especially when first introduced to the aquarium.

6. Tank mates:

   • Best suited with other fast-water species like hillstream loaches or small non-aggressive gobies.
   • Avoid slow-swimming or long-finned species, as well as overly dominant tank mates.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Males can be territorial and may display aggressive posturing toward each other, especially without adequate space or cover.
   • Generally peaceful toward other species and are very active, often seen grazing or exploring surfaces.