Description

Speckled Dwarf Goby

The name “speckled dwarf goby” can refer to several different, but related, species of small, often translucent gobies in the genus Eviota. Due to their small size and similar appearances, there has been some confusion and misidentification of these fish in both the aquarium trade and scientific literature.

General Characteristics

Size: They are very small, typically reaching a maximum length of 3 cm (about 1.2 inches).

Appearance: As their name suggests, they are often covered in fine spots or speckles, and many species have a semi-transparent or translucent body.

Habitat: They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting shallow coral reefs with plenty of hiding places, such as crevices in live rock and coral colonies.

Aquarium Care

Tank Size: Due to their diminutive size, they are well-suited for nano and pico reef tanks (tanks under 30 gallons), with a minimum volume of about 10 gallons being suitable for a single fish or pair.

Water Parameters: They are marine fish and require stable, high-quality saltwater conditions.

Temperature: 72-78F (22.2-25.6C).

pH: 8.1-8.4.

Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025.

Filtration: A good filtration system is essential to maintain water quality, and a protein skimmer is recommended.

Aquascaping: They thrive in aquariums that mimic their natural reef habitat. Provide plenty of live rock with caves, crevices, and other hiding spots. They are often seen perching on rocks or corals.

Diet: In the wild, they are carnivores that feed on small crustaceans like copepods and amphipods. In a home aquarium, they should be fed a varied diet of small, meaty foods such as vitamin-enriched mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other frozen preparations for carnivores. Since they are small and slow-moving, it’s important to ensure they are not outcompeted for food by larger or more aggressive tank mates.

Temperament: Speckled dwarf gobies are peaceful, shy, and non-aggressive. They are considered “reef-safe” as they will not bother corals or other invertebrates.

Tank Mates: Choose tank mates that are equally peaceful and will not harass or outcompete the gobies. Avoid large, predatory, or fast-moving fish. Good companions could include small, peaceful species like some blennies, other nano gobies (with caution, as they can be aggressive towards other gobies unless they are a mated pair), or even dwarf shrimp.

Lifespan: The lifespan of these gobies can be quite short, with some species only living for a few months, though others can live for several years with proper care.