© Chika Watanabe from Los Altos, USA / CC BY 2.0Twinspot goby
The twinspot goby is a small goby with a large black eyespot on each of its two dorsal fins. When the fins are raised, the spots look like a crab's eyes, which gives the fish its charming look. In nature it lives in pairs in sand burrows and feeds by sifting sand. It reaches a standard length of up to 10 cm, but it is hard to get feeding well, so it is rated for experienced keepers. Little is documented about its lifespan. It suits aquarists who can set up a sand-bottom tank and confirm feeding before bringing one home.
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Apply as a breederTwinspot goby key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Lifespan
- Little data available
- Size
- Up to 10 cm SL (FishBase)
- Temperature
- 22〜27℃
- Diet
- Carnivore (small animals sifted from sand)
- Water Temperature & Quality
- 22-27°C, specific gravity 1.020-1.026 (Saltcorner).
- Container & Tank
- About 110 L (30 gallons) or more, with at least 5 cm of sand, flat stones to burrow under and rock crevices. It digs deep burrows.
- Tank Mates & Compatibility
- Avoid aggressive fish such as groupers, dottybacks and triggerfish. Best kept as a male-female pair.
- Reef Compatibility
- Leaves corals alone; reef-safe.
- Diet & Feeding
- Feed meaty frozen foods - brine shrimp, mysis, finely chopped fish or shrimp - about four times a day, with sinking pellets as a supplement.
- Health & Cautions
- It is slow to accept prepared foods and many slowly waste away. Confirm it is eating frozen food before buying.
About Twinspot goby
The twinspot goby is a marine goby with a large black eyespot on each dorsal fin. It lives in pairs in sand burrows, sifts sand for food, grows to 10 cm standard length, and suits experienced keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Twinspot goby
1Why It Is for Experts
Its difficulty is rated for experienced keepers. Because it feeds by sifting sand, getting it to eat in an aquarium is hard, and both tank setup and feeding call for experience. It is best considered once you are comfortable keeping marine fish.
2Check Feeding First
Getting it to eat is the biggest hurdle in keeping this goby. Before you order, check the listing or ask the breeder what the fish is eating now and how it is fed. Also make sure you can keep supplying that same food.
3Sand-Bottom Setup
In nature it lives in sand burrows, so a tank with a sand bed suits it. Prepare fine, smooth sand deep enough for the fish to dig a burrow. Since it sifts sand to feed, keeping the sand clean also matters.
4Pair-Living Habit
In nature this goby lives in pairs in a burrow. If you keep more than one in the same tank, watch closely for compatibility and any fighting. Decide between a single fish and a pair together with the size of your tank.
5Choosing Tank Mates
This goby searches for food slowly over the sand, so fast fish that grab food can be a poor match. Fish that dig up the sand may also collapse its burrow. Choose calm tank mates that leave the sand bed alone.
6Daily Observation
Watch how the fish picks at the sand, whether it is eating, and how its body looks every day. If it seems to eat less or looks thinner, take that as a cue to review the food and how you offer it. Asking the breeder about any concerning change is also a good idea.
7Size and Lifespan
Its standard length reaches up to 10 cm (FishBase), which is small, but it needs a sand bed and suitable food, so plan your tank with some room to spare. Little is documented about its lifespan, so no typical figure can be given. It is wise to prepare as if you will be keeping it for a long time.
Frequently asked questions about Twinspot goby
- Q.Can beginners keep this fish?
- A.It is rated for experienced keepers and is not a good first marine fish. Its habit of sifting sand for food makes feeding difficult, so consider it after you have gained experience with marine fish.
- Q.What does the twinspot goby eat?
- A.It sifts sand and eats the food it finds in it. What an individual accepts in an aquarium varies and feeding is difficult, so ask the breeder what the fish is eating now.
- Q.Can I keep more than one together?
- A.In nature it lives in pairs in sand burrows. Compatibility in a tank depends on the individuals, so judge carefully and watch how they get along.
- Q.How big does it get and how long does it live?
- A.Its standard length reaches up to 10 cm (FishBase). Little is documented about its lifespan, so there is no clear typical figure.
- Q.What should I check before getting one?
- A.Check what the fish is eating now and how it eats, and whether you can provide a sand-bottom tank. The listing details and questions to the breeder will help.
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