How to Care for a South American Dragon Goby

If you find Goldfish too cliché and you are in the market for a fish with a little more exotic appeal, the South American Dragon Goby, also known as the Violet Goby, is the perfect solution. Don't let its name scare you; the South American Dragon Goby can live alone or with other fish species, and lives up to 10 years. It thrives in waters from Florida to South America, and adapts to aquariums.

Things You'll Need

  • 75-gallon aquarium
  • Salt water
  • Artificial cave
  • Sand
  • Bloodworms or algae wafers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your new Goby with a large aquarium. Goby grow up to 18 inches in length at maturity.

    • 2

      Fill your aquarium with a mixture of fresh and saltwater. The South American Dragon Goby typically lives in brackish water, which has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much salinity as seawater. The South American Dragon Goby can survive in fresh water, but it will probably only live for a few years under those conditions.

    • 3

      Heat the tank between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Test the water's ammonia levels using a strip test, available at pet-supply stores. The South American Dragon Goby is sensitive to ammonia, and high levels will kill it.

    • 5

      Line the bottom of your tank with sand or another soft substrate. Some fish can survive in gravel-lined aquariums; however, Gobies are bottom-dwellers and gravel damages their fins.

    • 6

      Place the artificial cave in the tank. The South American Dragon Goby is a shy species and requires a place to hide. Fake coral, caves or logs suffice. As Gobies are private, provide one shelter for each Goby in the aquarium.

    • 7

      Feed your Goby bloodworms or algae wafers. Find both at your local pet store.