All fish / Oxudercidae (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae)

Golden-red stiphodon

Stiphodon rutilaureus

Also known as golden red stiphodon, red stiphodon goby, golden red goby, rutilaureus goby, stiphodon goby, neon goby, ルチラウレウス, 金红枝牙虾虎

A small amphidromous goby from fast island streams, with males showing a bright golden orange to red body and dark edged fins while females are paler with dark stripes. Keepers enjoy it for its colour, its clinging behaviour on rocks and its role as an algae grazer in stream style tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a group in a larger tank

Diet

Herbivore: grazes biofilm and algae from rocks, supplemented with algae wafers, spirulina and small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia

Breeding

Eggs are laid under stones and guarded by the male, but the tiny larvae drift to the sea and need marine conditions to develop, so captive rearing is very rarely achieved.

Good to know

Needs a mature tank with plenty of algae growth, strong flow and high oxygen; males fight over territories, and a tight lid is essential as they can climb out.