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Elegant algae goby

Stiphodon elegans

Also known as Elegans stream goby, Elegant goby, Elegant algae eating goby

FreshwaterFish

Elegant algae goby (Stiphodon elegans)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Oxudercidae
Origin
Society and Samoa island streams

Overview

The elegant algae goby is a classic algae-grazing river goby for a mature, well-lit tank. It is a goby for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Like other Stiphodon gobies, the elegant algae goby grazes with rows of fine, spatula-shaped teeth set in an extendable lower jaw. The teeth wear down against the stone and are steadily replaced from behind, a little like a shark's.

Caring for the elegant algae goby

Keep a group of five or more elegant algae gobies in at least 14 gal (54 L), in a tank matured enough to grow algae. A shallow, stony layout of rounded cobbles under strong light lets biofilm and soft algae grow. Give the group steady flow and high oxygen.

Keep the water clean at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8, with regular water changes. It scrapes green film from stone all day and will not do well on flake food alone. Supplement its grazing with algae wafers and the occasional frozen cyclops.

The elegant algae goby is peaceful and social. Leave males extra room to hold small grazing patches. Keep only small, calm tank mates that will not race it to the food.

Males wear teal to green stripes over a pale body. It is amphidromous, and its larvae develop at sea before the young return upstream. There is no established record of it breeding in aquaria.

Good to know

Stiphodon elegans is a member of the family Oxudercidae, described by Steindachner in 1879. It is sometimes called the green riffle goby, and it is also known as the elegans stream goby. Like all Stiphodon, it is a dedicated algae grazer.

In the wild

The elegant algae goby grazes the stony beds of clear island streams across Polynesia. Its range runs from Tahiti and the Society Islands to Samoa and neighboring groups, in warm water running bright over rock.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The elegant algae 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 an elegant algae goby need?

An elegant algae goby needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an elegant algae goby need?

An elegant algae goby is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does an elegant algae goby eat?

An elegant algae goby scrapes green film and soft algae from stone all day. Supplement its grazing with algae wafers and the occasional frozen cyclops, since flake food alone will not do.

How big does an elegant algae goby get?

An adult elegant algae goby reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How can you tell a male elegant algae goby from a female?

Males wear teal to green stripes over a pale body.

How does an elegant algae goby breed?

The elegant algae goby is amphidromous. Its larvae develop at sea before the young return upstream, and there is no established record of it breeding in aquariums.

Related species