Doria's Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius doriae) Care Guide
Brachygobius doriae is a nano bumblebee goby from Bornean coastal streams, kept in small hard, slightly brackish tanks in groups.
Overview
Brachygobius doriae is a bumblebee goby reaching about 25-35 mm, with broad black bands on a yellow body; during spawning the orange bands of males intensify to red. It is the dominant bumblebee goby in the aquarium hobby and is easily confused with B. xanthozona.
Taxonomy
- Family: Oxudercidae
- Genus: Brachygobius
- Scientific name: Brachygobius doriae
Habitat
It is native to Borneo and the nearby Natuna Islands, inhabiting mangrove swamps, estuaries and tidal streams in lowland coastal regions. It prefers hard freshwater or slightly brackish conditions.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (base 45 x 30 cm)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 12-25 °dGH; marine salt around 2 g/L often used
- Group size: 6 or more recommended
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
Small live foods such as Artemia and Daphnia are essential; some specimens accept frozen alternatives, while dried products are normally ignored.
Compatibility
A bottom-dwelling nano species generally unsuitable for general community tanks. A group of six or more is the recommended minimum to spread aggression and promote natural behavior.
Breeding
It is a cave spawner depositing around 100-200 eggs, with an incubation period of about seven to nine days. Newly free-swimming fry need microscopic foods before accepting larger prey.