Hector's goby
Koumansetta hectori
Also known as Amblygobius hectori, Hector's Hover Goby, Yellow-Lined Goby
SaltwaterFish
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
- 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
A 75 litre or larger reef tank with mature live rock and a sand bed suits it, kept at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It is reef safe and helps graze hair algae and sift the sand. Feed a mix of small meaty foods and algae, such as mysis, enriched brine, and pods. It is peaceful with other fish but can be territorial toward other small gobies and dartfish in a tight tank.
In the wild
Hector's goby is a slim, active goby marked with yellow lines along a dark body and a bright eyespot on the dorsal fin. It hovers just off the bottom near rock and rubble, sifting sand and grazing algae. It sticks close to a crevice it can dart into for cover. It works the sand and rock all day looking for food.
Good to know
Koumansetta hectori is a goby in the family Gobiidae and was for a long time placed in the genus Amblygobius. The dorsal eyespot is thought to draw a predator's strike toward the tail rather than the head. It sifts mouthfuls of sand to extract algae and tiny animals.
Did you know
It is a useful natural helper against film and hair algae and gently turns over the top layer of the sand bed as it feeds.
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.
How big does a Hector's goby get?
An adult Hector's goby reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Related species
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Koumansetta rainfordi
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