Flaming arrow goby
Sicyopus zosterophorus
Also known as Zosterophorus goby, Red belted goby
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
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Western Pacific island streams
- Family
- Oxudercidae
Overview
A small predatory stream goby rather than an algae grazer, so it needs small meaty foods: frozen cyclops, daphnia, bloodworm and live brine shrimp, delivered into the current where it can catch them. Keep a group in a 54 liter river tank with strong flow, cobble and high oxygen. Males claim a stone and hold it. It is peaceful with other fish and safe with anything it cannot swallow.
In the wild
Sicyopus zosterophorus lives in clear, fast island streams from the Philippines through to Vanuatu, in the steeper stretches where the water is broken and well oxygenated. Keep it at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.5 to 7.8, with real current.
Good to know
Sicyopus zosterophorus reaches about 4.5 centimeters and is named for the dark girdle band across the body, with males flushing red through the rear half. Its fused pelvic fins form a suction disc that lets it hold station and climb wet rock. Like other amphidromous gobies it cannot complete its life cycle in fresh water.
Did you know
Zosterophorus means girdle-bearer; the flame is the trade's addition to the outfit.
Tank mates
Flaming arrow goby is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Scherer's hatchetfish
Carnegiella schereriFreshwater1 in (2.6 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Teardrop rasbora
Rasbora lacrimulaFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Glowing ember barb
Enteromius candensFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Congo clipper barb
Clypeobarbus congicusFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Green belly goby
Lentipes ikeaeFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Redback rasbora
Rasbora rubrodorsalisFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
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 do Flaming arrow goby need?
Flaming arrow goby are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
How big do Flaming arrow goby get?
An adult Flaming arrow goby reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Gobies · Advanced fish · Community fish · Bottom dwellers
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Related species
Cebu orange tail goby
Sicyopus cebuensisFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Lipstick goby
Sicyopus rubicundusFreshwater2 in (5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Teardrop goby
Sicyopus multisquamatusFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Discord goby
Sicyopus discordipinnisFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Rainbow sicyopus
Sicyopus auxilimentusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Red lip goby
Sicyopus exallisquamulusFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)