Hong Kong Goby

The Hong Kong goby is a small goby that lives in the cool, clear mountain streams of southern China. Its sand-colored body has dark blotches; during the breeding season males take on orange-red and blue tones on the head and fins. It clings to stones with its sucker-shaped pelvic fin. It is a subtropical rather than tropical species; its health suffers if it is kept in warm or hot water for long periods.

• At least 40 liters for a small group; a large footprint.
• Flat stones, gravel and a hollow under a stone for each male.
• Cool (18–24°C), oxygen-rich, flowing water; in most cases no heater is needed.
• Use a lid; it can climb the glass.

Carnivorous. Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and cyclops; over time it gets used to small sinking granules.

Males are territorial and defend their stones against other males; it is generally harmless to other species. It may eat shrimplets.

Good companions: calm species that like cool water: white cloud mountain minnows, Chinese hillstream loaches, small danios, adult dwarf shrimp.

Avoid: species that need tropical temperatures, large and aggressive fish, other territorial bottom-dwelling gobies.