TankBud

Flaming arrow goby

Sicyopus zosterophorus

Also known as Zosterophorus goby, Red belted goby

FreshwaterFish

Flaming arrow goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus)
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
1.8 in
4.5 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Oxudercidae
Origin
Western Pacific island streams

Overview

The flaming arrow goby is a small stream goby that hunts rather than grazes, suited to a fast river tank. It is best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

The name zosterophorus means girdle-bearer, after the dark girdle band across the flaming arrow goby's body. The flame is the trade's own addition to the outfit.

Caring for the flaming arrow goby

Keep a group of flaming arrow gobies in a river tank of at least 14 gal (54 L), with strong flow, cobble and high oxygen. Hold the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8, with real current.

It is a small predatory goby rather than an algae grazer, so it needs small meaty foods. Offer frozen cyclops, daphnia, bloodworm and live brine shrimp, delivered into the current where it can catch them.

The flaming arrow goby is peaceful with other fish and safe with anything it cannot swallow. Males claim a stone and hold it, and they flush red through the rear half of the body. Like other amphidromous gobies, it cannot complete its life cycle in fresh water.

Good to know

Sicyopus zosterophorus is a goby in the family Oxudercidae, also known as the red belted goby. Its fused pelvic fins form a suction disc that lets it hold station and climb wet rock.

In the wild

The flaming arrow goby lives in clear, fast island streams from the Philippines through to Vanuatu. It keeps to the steeper stretches, where the water is broken and well oxygenated.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The flaming arrow 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 flaming arrow goby need?

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

What temperature and pH does a flaming arrow goby need?

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

What does a flaming arrow goby eat?

A flaming arrow goby is a small predator that needs small meaty foods. Offer frozen cyclops, daphnia, bloodworm and live brine shrimp, delivered into the current.

How big does a flaming arrow goby get?

An adult flaming arrow goby reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).

How can you tell a male flaming arrow goby from a female?

Males flush red through the rear half of the body.

How does a flaming arrow goby breed?

The flaming arrow goby is amphidromous, so it cannot complete its life cycle in fresh water.

Related species