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Caledonian red nose goby

Lentipes kaaea

Also known as Kaaea goby

FreshwaterFish

Caledonian red nose goby (Lentipes kaaea)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Oxudercidae
Origin
New Caledonia and Vanuatu streams

Overview

The Caledonian red nose goby is one of the larger climbing stream gobies, an active bottom dweller for a fast-flowing tank. It needs an experienced keeper.

Did you know

The Caledonian red nose goby's species name, kaaea, is a tribute rather than a description. It honors Kaaea, a Napwe tribal chief in New Caledonia who allowed freshwater fish to be collected on his community's land.

Caring for the Caledonian red nose goby

Give a small group of Caledonian red nose gobies at least 14 gal (54 L) of fast, clean, high-energy water. Use vigorous flow over cobbles, smooth boulders and gravel, and let algae and film build on the rockwork.

Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8, with high oxygen. Change it often so it stays very clean. It grazes biofilm and hunts small invertebrates in the current, so feed frozen and live foods such as cyclops, brine shrimp and finely chopped bloodworm.

It is peaceful and happiest in company. Give displaying males room to hold territory, so quarrels stay to harmless posturing. Pair it only with calm, current-loving tank mates that will not bully it or strip the food first.

The Caledonian red nose goby is amphidromous, and its larvae develop in the sea. There is no established record of it spawning in aquariums.

Good to know

Lentipes kaaea is a sicydiine goby in the family Oxudercidae, described by Watson, Keith and Marquet in 2002. It is large for its genus, and males can flush rosy about the head, which gives it the red-nose name. It is also known as the kaaea goby.

In the wild

The Caledonian red nose goby lives in fast, high-gradient streams and waterfall pools in New Caledonia and nearby Vanuatu. Records extend east to Fiji and Futuna. It clings to rock with its fused pelvic fins, where the water is cool, clear and tumbling.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Caledonian red nose goby is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Caledonian red nose goby need?

A Caledonian red nose goby needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Caledonian red nose goby need?

A Caledonian red nose goby is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a Caledonian red nose goby eat?

A Caledonian red nose goby grazes biofilm and hunts small invertebrates in the current. Feed it frozen and live foods such as cyclops, brine shrimp and finely chopped bloodworm.

How big does a Caledonian red nose goby get?

An adult Caledonian red nose goby reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How does a Caledonian red nose goby breed?

The Caledonian red nose goby is amphidromous, and its larvae develop in the sea. There is no established record of it spawning in aquariums.

Related species