Care of a Gobi Fish

There are more than 2,000 species of goby fish, sometimes mistakenly called gobi, in the world. They are found in almost all areas, in both freshwater and saltwater, and they come in all sizes and colors. It is because they tend to be small and colorful that they make excellent aquarium fish. Gobies are unique fish that need specific conditions in order to survive and thrive in an aquarium. If those conditions aren't met, the fish can become sick and possibly die.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Live rocks
  • Aquarium heater
  • Salt
  • Brine shrimp
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the types of goby fish available at the local pet store. They often have several different species in stock. Determine if you want a freshwater or a saltwater goby. Some of the most popular gobies, the mandarin and dragon gobies, are saltwater fish. This decision determines the habitat for the goby.

    • 2

      Prepare your saltwater tank for the goby fish. Put in a layer of live rocks on the bottom. This will act as a food source for the goby. Fill the tank with water, add salt and let it sit until it reaches room temperature. Check acidity levels using a pH kit, and adjust the temperature using an aquarium heater, if needed. Attach the filter system and let it run. The temperature should range between 75 and 82 degrees, and the salinity should be about 1.02.

    • 3

      Use a freshwater tank. Place a layer of live rock on the bottom. Fill the tank with tap water and let it sit until it reaches room temperature. Attach the water filter.

    • 4

      Place the goby in the tank while still in the bag. Leave the goby in the bag for an hour to allow the water temperature in the bag to reach the same temperature as the water in the tank. Open the bag and let the fish swim after an hour. Placing a fish in the tank straight from the bag may be a shock to its system, and it could die.

    • 5

      Feed the goby brine shrimp. Some species may live off the algae and plankton found in the live rocks. Keep larger and more aggressive fish out of the tank, as the goby cannot compete for food. Provide artificial coral reefs and other nooks and crannies for the fish to hide in.

    • 6

      Maintain the tank by cleaning it regularly and keeping an eye on algae and bacteria levels. Replace between 10 and 25 percent of the tank water every month.