The ocean is an awe-inspiring place, so it’s no surprise that many people want to bring its beauty home with them. The best way to accomplish this is by setting up a saltwater aquarium in your house, which is a hobby over two million people around the world partake in.
The most important task of any aquatic enthusiast is filling their tank with the most interesting types of fish. One strong aquarium contender to add to your tank is a goby fish.
Goby fish are a unique addition to any saltwater aquarium. We’ll answer, “Are gobies saltwater or freshwater fish,” and give you details of how to care for this aquatic animal in our guide below.
Are Gobies Saltwater or Freshwater Fish?
There are over 2200 species of gobies in the world. In the wild, you can find most goby fish in coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Due to their natural habitat, many consider goby saltwater fish, although this depends on their species. You can find some species of gobies in freshwater or brackish locations.
Goby Appearance
Although different species of goby fish have different appearances, the most common goby fish is grey with brown and black spots on it. Gobies have thick lips and slightly raised eyes.
The fused pelvic fins on a goby fish make one scallop-shaped fin, which can act like a suction cup. This suctioning ability allows gobies to secure themselves onto rocks.
Although different species of gobies can dictate their size, most gobies grow to be between three to six inches long. Some gobies can grow to as long as ten inches.
Caring for Your Goby Pet
Before you add a goby fish to your saltwater aquarium, you want to make sure you have the knowledge and equipment you need to keep your fish happy and healthy. Here are the steps you should follow to build your goby habitat.
Building Your Goby Habitat
You’ll want to make sure you have the correct tank size to house your goby fish in. Choose a tank that is at least ten gallons in size.
You should have a water filtration system to keep water at the optimal quality. Water circulation should mimic the ocean and be at a low to moderate level. Goby fish live in oxygenated water, so make sure your tank has this feature too.
A great addition to your goby tank is an aquatic heater. This device can keep water temperatures stable.
Make sure to add aquarium decor that mimics a coral reef to your goby tank. Live rocks are a great natural feature that can give goby a place to hide and help with the filtration of the water.
Goby Food
Goby fish need a well-balanced diet to stay healthy. They eat several different types of food, all of which are great options to add to your goby tank.
Gobies love to eat small crustaceans like ostracods, polychaete worms, amphipods, and copepods.
You can also add baby brine shrimp to your goby’s diet. You can find baby brine shrimp in living, flaked, freeze-dried, frozen, or pellet form.
Tank Care
One of the ways you can keep your goby fish healthy is to take care of the tank that they are living in. You can do this by doing daily, weekly, and monthly checks on various parts of the saltwater aquarium.
Check the water temperature and your aquarium’s filter every day. Also, check all other equipment daily to ensure that it is in working order.
Perform a water quality test on your saltwater tank each week. When you do a water quality test, you check the ammonia, pH, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Stable water quality is crucial for the health of your goby, so it’s important to check it often.
You should change between 10 and 25% of the volume of water in your tank every month, and you should also replace the tank filter each month.
Goby Tank Mates
Goby fish can get territorial around other goby fish unless they are a mated pair. If you want an aquarium with more than one fish, consider some of the following options that gobies can live with.
- Filefish
- Clownfish
- Large and dwarf angelfish
- Wrasse
- Dartfish
Goby Health Signs
You can tell that your goby is in good help by looking for the following signs:
Their eyes should be clear. Their colouring should be bright and even, and their fins should be undamaged.
Healthy gobies should have no signs of parasites or disease. They should have a healthy appetite
There are several signs to look out for that could signal that your goby is not in good health. The first is their appearance.
If your goby looks dull or has cloudy eyes, that can be a sign of illness in your goby. Gobies who are swimming erratically or not swimming at all can be a concern. Your goby should not look too bloated or too thin.
If your goby displays any of these signs, it’s best to contact an aquatic veterinarian or specialist. They can give you recommendations on how to help your goby fish.
Buying Goby Fish
If you’re looking to add a goby fish to your aquarium, you may be wondering where to buy one. You can find gobies for sale at saltwater aquatic retailers in store and online.
Goby Fun Facts
If you decide to adopt a goby fish, they can be in your aquarium for a long time. Depending on the species, some goby fish can live up to 10 years.
Gobies can help larger marine animals out with their cleaning. These fish will eat dead skin and parasites off of bigger fish, which is a great example of a symbiotic relationship.
Goby Fish: A Perfect Saltwater Aquarium Addition
Goby fish are a unique species of fish that thrive in aquatic environments. Before adding your gobies to a saltwater tank, make sure to do your research so you can give them a healthy home. With the right attention, they’re sure to thrive and make a wonderful and interesting pet.
There are many other animals out there to add to your family. Head over to our animal section and read our animal articles for the best pet care information around.
