Bumblebee Fish (Brachygobius xanthozonus)
| Bumblebee Fish Brachygobius xanthozonus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Bumblebee Fish |
| Name Lat. | Brachygobius xanthozonus |
| Family | Gobies |
| Family lat. | Gobiidae |
| Order | Gobies |
| Order lat. | Gobiiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Estuaries, mangrove swamps |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 3-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 3.5 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 8-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 60 cm / 54 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.4" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 142-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Golden ring gobies are found in the nearshore waters of Java, Sumatra and Borneo. There they live in mangrove swamps and in the intertidal zone of river mouths, where they prefer shallow water with muddy-sandy bottoms, fallen leaves, roots and stones.
Maintenance
The aquarium should offer numerous hiding places (caves, crevices, shelters) from stones, mangrove roots and plants as well as some free sand areas. A dark, round-grained substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), slightly shaded light, a weak current and slightly alkaline water is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they feed on insects, small crustaceans and plankton. The diet consists of small live foods, such as cyclops, daphnia, bosmids, artemia and mosquito larvae, which are also well accepted in frozen form, supplemented with a commercially available frozen special food mix. Dry food is rarely accepted
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
It is recommended to keep them in pairs or better in a group of 6 or more. They occupy small territories around their living and breeding caves, which they defend against conspecifics. Keeping them in groups is only recommended in a larger and richly structured aquarium. Towards other fish they behave completely peacefully
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are more slender and more intensely colored yellow at spawning time than the larger and more plump females.
Reproduction and breeding
They are cave breeders. After a harmonizing pair is found, the female spawns up to 200 eggs in a cave (clay tube, small flowerpot, etc.) or under a rock or root. The brood is intensively guarded by the male. After 5-6 days the larvae hatch, after another 2 days they swim free and the brood care ends. Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food, such as slipper lizards and later with Artemia nauplii. In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey here.
Important
A small addition (1-2 tablespoons per 10 l of water) of sea salt (mineral salt) from the pet shop is recommended for water hardening. If the water is sufficiently hard and alkaline, there is no need to add salt
The Golden Ringed Goby, whose anal fin has one hard ray and 8 soft rays, is easily confused with the Bumblebee Golden Ringed Goby (Brachygobius doriae), which has only 7 soft rays
The foliage (e.g., sea almond tree or oak) not only provides cover, but as it rots it encourages the development of microorganisms that provide a valuable secondary food source.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF