Size
This species grows to a maximum length of about 7 inches.
Physical characteristics and behavior
A typical bottom-dwelling fish, the diamond goby has an elongated body that is flattened at the bottom and a broad mouth to help it sift sand, which is what it does best. The bottom of its body has been flattened. More or less gray in appearance, the fish’s body is characterized with yellowish to orange-colored dashes and stripes.
As Pet
- Tank Setup
At least a 30 gallon tank is required for Diamond Goby. It is advised to use between 2 1/2 and 3 inches of sugar-fine sand. The sand-sifting Diamond Goby requires sufficient depth to burrow. Two conditions can be problematic as a result of this burrowing and sifting behavior. First, when nitrate removal is accomplished using deep sand beds (DSB). DSBs can work with sand layers as thick as 6 inches. The stratified biology of a DSB can be disturbed by the burrowing and sifting of a diamond goby. The majority of hobbyists that use DSBs will avoid putting a Diamond Goby in there. Moving rocks is a second problem. Diamond Gobies can dig under live rocks or other hardscape that is positioned on top of sand.
- Diet
A balanced diet for gobies includes:
- Copepods, amphipods, ostracods, and polychaete worms are small crustaceans.
- Live juvenile artemia brine shrimp
- Mysis shrimp are available in pellets, flakes, and freeze-dried or frozen forms.
The right nutritional balance can be ensured with a varied diet.
- Tank companions
Diamond Gobies typically favour hiding over combat. When they share a tank with other Gobies, they get aggressive. Breeding pairs will coexist peacefully.
- Water Condition
Gobies thrive best in water that is between 720 and 780 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal water has a specific gravity of water between 1.020 and 1.025, a pH between 8.1 and 8.5, and a dKH between 8 and 12.
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