Bumblebee Goby

Bumblebee gobies, are small bottom-dwelling aquarium fish with a fascinating behavior that is entertaining to watch.  They may not be the best choice for most community aquariums and requires a tank set up with brackish water.  Adult size 2.5 to 4 cm.

So why keep bumblebee gobies then? As any aquarist who has experience with this fish species will tell you, their fascinating behavior more than makes up for the challenge of setting up a single-species aquarium. They feature a bee-like yellow and black striped pattern which resembles a bumblebee and thus the name bumblebee.

Wild bumblebee gobies can be found throughout Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Borneo), Thailand, and Vietnam. Here, these fish inhabit shallow habitats in estuaries, rivers, and streams. These waters are usually brackish and have a muddy or sandy substrate with a healthy covering of organic detritus. Plenty of hiding places are present in the form of mangrove roots, leaf litter, and fallen branches

Behaviour

Bumblebee gobies are grouping fish. If you keep them in smaller numbers, the weaker fish might get picked on relentlessly, and the group as a whole will be much more shy and withdrawn. Go for a group size of at least 6-7 fish, preferably even more if you really want to see their natural behavior.

Their behavior is what makes these fish a favorite among many aquarists. While these fish can be shy at first, they will quickly come out of hiding and swim in open water if their requirements are met. Their social interactions are especially fascinating to watch. For such a small fish, their curious and playful personality definitely makes up for what they lack in size.

Males especially can be quite territorial, which means every male will establish its own area in the tank. This can lead to occasional territorial squabbles and the fish can often be observed chasing and pestering each other. Luckily though, this never tends to lead to serious injury.

Tank Conditions

Although they’re often sold as freshwater fish, they actually do best when kept in a brackish tank with water that has a low salt grade (a salinity between 1.002 and 1.006).  Because these fish stay quite small, a large aquarium setup is not necessary. For a decent-sized group, a tank size of at least 40 litres with plenty of floor space should be a good place to start. The aquarium should always be fully cycled but water filtration is best if kept a bit weak; these fish naturally live in calm water and may not respond well to very strong water flow.

A heavily decorated tank is appreciated, as these fish can be more on the timid side and need a place to hide and get away from territorial squabbles. Shrimp tubes and plenty of plant species that can tolerate brackish water should work well. You may be surprised to learn that there are actually quite a few plants out there that don’t mind a little bit of salt.  For example Anubias (Anubias barteri, nana, etc.), Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri), Java Fern, Marimo Balls, Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri) can all tolerate brackish water.

Compatibility

Bumblebee gobies are not the best fish for a community aquarium as they are easily outcompeted for food by more assertive species. Although they can be kept with some species tolerant to low-grade brackish water as long as there are no other bottom dwellers present, most aquarium keepers prefer to set up a single-species aquarium for them. This makes it easier to keep an eye on how much the fish is actually eating and encourages them to spend plenty of time out of hiding.

Feeding

Their diet is one of the most difficult aspects of keeping this fish. These little bottom dwellers are carnivores with a distinct taste for live foods and many fishkeepers report them completely ignoring all types of commercial fish pellets and flake foods. Success with frozen foods varies as well; it’s a better idea to go for something a little more wiggly and lively to attract their attention.

If you want to keep your bumblebee gobies well-fed without too many issues, it might be a good idea to take the time to set up a live food culture. Batches of brine shrimp eggs can easily be hatched at home and make a great nutritious option that should be readily accepted by your fish.

This fish is an ambush predator that moves slowly, so it is important to make sure that it gets its share of food when housed with more agile tankmates.

Care They should be kept in a brackish tank with water that has a low salt grade (a salinity between 1.002 and 1.006).