TankBud

Hector's goby

Koumansetta hectori

Also known as Amblygobius hectori, Hector's Hover Goby, Yellow-Lined Goby

SaltwaterFish

Hector's goby (Koumansetta hectori)
Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Gobiidae
Origin
Found in the western Pacific from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef, over rubble and sand near reefs.

Overview

Hector's goby is a slim, peaceful goby that lives near the bottom of a reef tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Hector's goby carries an eyespot on its dorsal fin that is thought to draw a predator's strike toward the tail rather than the head.

Caring for the Hector's goby

Give Hector's goby a reef tank of at least 20 gal (75 L), with mature live rock and a sand bed. It sticks close to a crevice it can dart into for cover, so leave some in the rockwork. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

Hector's gobies are reef safe and help control film and hair algae. They gently turn over the top layer of the sand bed as they feed. Feed a mix of small meaty foods and algae, such as mysis, enriched brine shrimp and pods.

Hector's goby is peaceful with other fish and lives a solitary life. In a tight tank it can be territorial toward other small gobies and dartfish.

Good to know

Koumansetta hectori is a goby in the family Gobiidae. For a long time it was placed in the genus Amblygobius. It is an active fish, with yellow lines along a dark body.

In the wild

Hector's goby is found in the western Pacific from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef, over rubble and sand near reefs. It hovers just off the bottom near rock and rubble. It works the sand and rock all day, sifting mouthfuls of sand for algae and tiny animals.

Common questions

What size tank does a Hector's goby need?

A Hector's goby needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Hector's goby need?

A Hector's goby is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Hector's goby eat?

A Hector's goby eats a mix of small meaty foods and algae, such as mysis, enriched brine shrimp and pods. It also grazes film and hair algae in the tank.

How big does a Hector's goby get?

An adult Hector's goby reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

Related species