Rainford's Goby (Koumansetta rainfordi) Care Guide

A beautifully patterned goby with alternating horizontal stripes of green, orange, and blue-gray, earning it the nickname Court Jester.

Overview

Koumansetta rainfordi is a species in the family Gobiidae. A beautifully patterned goby with alternating horizontal stripes of green, orange, and blue-gray, earning it the nickname Court Jester. Grazes continuously on filamentous algae and microorganisms on rocks and sand. Unlike many gobies, it does not burrow or sift sand. Can be challenging to keep fed in sterile tanks without sufficient microalgae and biofilm.

Taxonomy

Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Koumansetta
Scientific name: Koumansetta rainfordi
Other names: Court Jester Goby, Old Glory Goby
Origin: Western Pacific, Australia

Habitat

Distributed across the western Pacific from Indonesia and the Philippines south to the Great Barrier Reef and east to Vanuatu. Inhabits shallow lagoons and coral-rubble flats at depths of 2-30 m, where it grazes filamentous algae and microfauna from hard surfaces.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 60 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 5-7 cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as herbivore. Recommended feeding frequency: continuous grazer. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Firefish Goby, Small Wrasses, Blue Chromis
Avoid with: Aggressive Fish, Other Bottom Dwellers

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: cave-spawner
Breeding difficulty: advanced