All fish / Oxudercidae

Bumblebee Goby

Brachygobius xanthozonus

Also known as bumble bee goby, bumblebee goby, golden-banded goby, yellow-banded goby, bee goby, bumble goby, ปลาบู่ผึ้ง, ikan lebah, バンブルビーゴビー, gobi lebah, 小蜜蜂鰕虎, 蜜蜂虾虎

A tiny, stocky goby banded in bright yellow and black, resembling a bumblebee. It is kept for its bold colours and entertaining territorial behaviour, spending most of its time perched on rocks and wood near the bottom.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

7 to 8.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more with plenty of caves

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and other small invertebrates; often refuses dried food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Borneo) and Malay Peninsula

Breeding

Eggs are laid on the ceiling of a cave or inside a shell and guarded by the male until they hatch. Spawning happens fairly readily in a mature tank, but the tiny fry need infusoria or similar microfoods and raising them is challenging.

Good to know

Several Brachygobius species are sold under the same name and are hard to tell apart; most do best in slightly brackish water. They are territorial towards each other and easily outcompeted, so keep them in a species tank or with very small, calm companions.