Size
Dragon fish can grow to be quite enormous. The longest Dragon Goby ever found in the wild measured 24 inches long! That is a lot bigger than the majority of goby species.
In captivity, they continue to be on the smaller side. When kept in a home aquarium, the majority won’t grow much larger than 15 inches in length, although this truly depends on the size of the tank.
Physical Appearance
The typical Dragon Goby adopts the distinctive shape for which gobies are recognized. They have round, bulbous heads and long, lean bodies. These fish are often mistaken for eels due to their size.
Their fins might be hard to tell apart from the rest of their bodies at first glance. The majority of the fish’s length is covered by the anal and dorsal fins. Even though their fins aren’t as long as those of other fish, they are just pronounced enough to give them the appearance of long eels in the water.
The Violet Goby has a rounded head. You can see the sharp teeth of this fish when the mouth is open. These aren’t employed in combat. The fish instead use them to remove algae from rocks.
The colour of the Violet Goby is one of its most intriguing features. They frequently develop a dull grey or brown colour. In the wild, this is typical.
The fish can, however, fully acquire certain vibrant colors. The fish will develop a silvery blue or purple hue when kept in optimal conditions. It has a metallic look that resembles dragon scales.
Typically, patches of vivid yellow appear along with the main colour, which is either purple or blue. This colour scheme stands out sharply from the typical grey or brown you’ll find on unhappy fish. It is the greatest approach to determine whether your fish are receiving all of their needs.
Habitat
In North, Central, and South America’s brackish waterways, dragon gobies can be found. They are indigenous to the Atlantic coasts from South Carolina in the north to Brazil in the south.
Keeping as Pet
Water Parameters
Typically robust fish, dragon fish thrive in slightly salted freshwater. To stay happy and healthy, this fish species needs clean water with 10% to 15% weekly water changes. In order to maintain the aquarium and get rid of any poisonous materials, proper filtration is also helpful.
You must make sure that the water is between 77 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature. It is best to keep it away from environments with large temperature swings because doing so can impair immunity and cause an appetite loss.
They do nicely in harsh tap water that has a PH of 7.5 to 8. When compared to other fish species that thrive in low PH, this makes them quite distinctive.
Tank Size
You will need at least 25 gallons of room to house your dragon fish due to its size. You will need more room if you want to keep other fish in the tank.
Feeding & Diet
These fish will thrive in captivity on regular dry food. Live treats are a popular addition for some owners to dried foods. Shrimp in brine are excellent for this.
You must be careful not to overfeed your dragonfish goby. By feeding them once daily and giving them as much food as they can consume in two to three minutes, you may prevent this.
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