Orange fin goby

Stiphodon maculidorsalis

Also known as Maculidorsalis goby, Orange fin Stiphodon goby

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.5–7.8
Adult size: 2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 14 gal (54 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Common
Origin: Western Indonesian streams
Family: Oxudercidae

Overview

A larger Stiphodon and a good first one, since its size makes it easier to feed and less easily outcompeted. Keep a small group in a 54 liter river tank with mature stone, strong flow and bright light for algae. Biofilm is the main food, supplemented with algae wafers and frozen cyclops. The tank needs to be established before they arrive; a clean new setup will not support them.

In the wild

Stiphodon maculidorsalis comes from clear coastal streams in western Indonesia, in fast water over stone. Keep it at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.5 to 7.8, with high flow and high oxygen. It is amphidromous, moving between fresh water and the sea across its life cycle.

Good to know

Stiphodon maculidorsalis reaches about 5.5 centimeters and is named for the spotted dorsal fin, though the orange fin edging is what sells it. Males color up and hold small grazing territories; females are plain and nearly impossible to tell from other Stiphodon species, which is why shops often cannot say what they have.