Blue Gudgeon Dartfish

Ptereleotris heteroptera

Also known as Blue Gudgeon Goby

SaltwaterFish

Blue Gudgeon Dartfish (Ptereleotris heteroptera) — User:OpenCage · CC BY-SA 2.5

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Indo-Pacific reefs, commonly collected around Fiji
Family: Ptereleotridae

Overview

Blue gudgeon dartfish are peaceful planktivores and fully reef compatible, leaving corals and invertebrates alone. They are social, somewhat timid fish that do best in a group of two to four added at the same time, staying close together as they hover and forage, and they must not be kept with aggressive tankmates that will intimidate them into hiding permanently. Feed small meaty foods, brine shrimp, mysis, chopped krill, and other prepared fare, two to three times a day in modest portions, since their limited fat reserves mean a slow start eating after introduction can become a real problem quickly. A secure lid is a must, since like all dartfish they jump when startled.

In the wild

Found on Indo-Pacific reefs, commonly collected around Fiji, where small groups hover over sandy and rubble bottoms near reef edges. It shares a network of burrows with its group and dives for cover at the first sign of danger. The aquarium should provide a few inches of sand for burrowing, live rock for shelter, moderate flow, and subdued lighting that mimics the open, slightly deeper reef flats it comes from, along with a tight fitting lid.

Good to know

A dartfish in the family Ptereleotridae, growing to about 13 cm, with a blue-green iridescent body and a small dark spot near the base of the tail that helps distinguish it from similar Ptereleotris species. Like other dartfish it swims freely above its shelter rather than resting flat like a true goby, and it carries limited fat reserves, so it needs to start feeding quickly after being introduced to a new tank.

Did you know

Despite being one of the shyer dartfish, a settled group of blue gudgeon dartfish will hover together in open water in a loose, coordinated formation, all facing into the current and all diving for the same burrow entrance the instant one member bolts for cover.