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Goblin sundadanio

Sundadanio goblinus

Also known as Goblin blue sundadanio, Neon blue rasbora

FreshwaterFish

Goblin sundadanio (Sundadanio goblinus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
0.9 in
2.3 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Peat swamps of eastern Sumatra, Indonesia

Overview

The goblin sundadanio is a peaceful blackwater nano fish that stays in midwater. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Male Sundadanio can croak, using modified muscles and bones around the swim bladder. A displaying group of these tiny fish quietly growls and clicks to itself down in the leaf litter.

Caring for the goblin sundadanio

Goblin sundadanios need a mature blackwater tank of 11 gal (40 L) or larger, with peat, leaf litter and botanicals. Keep the flow gentle and the lighting low, since they show their blue and green best under dim light over dark botanicals.

The real work is water chemistry, so hold the water soft, acidic and very stable. Aim for 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5, ideally below 6.0. Feed micro live and frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, microworm, cyclops and daphnia, along with fine dry foods.

Keep a school of a dozen or more of these peaceful fish. Choose only the smallest, gentlest company, such as chili rasboras, and nothing likely to outcompete or eat them. Breeding them in captivity is hard.

Good to know

Sundadanio goblinus is a miniature member of the danio family, Danionidae. Kottelat named it in a 2011 review that split the old axelrodi into a genus of many species. The name goblinus refers to its small size and slightly gnarled look.

In the wild

The goblin sundadanio comes from coastal peat swamp forests in eastern Sumatra. The water there is dark, soft and strongly acidic.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The goblin sundadanio is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. 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 goblin sundadanio need?

A goblin sundadanio needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a goblin sundadanio need?

A goblin sundadanio is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a goblin sundadanio eat?

A goblin sundadanio eats micro live and frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, microworm, cyclops and daphnia. Give it fine dry foods as well.

How big does a goblin sundadanio get?

An adult goblin sundadanio reaches about 0.9 in (2.3 cm).

Does a goblin sundadanio need a group?

Yes. A goblin sundadanio is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species