TankBud

Scarlet goby

Rhinogobius zhoui

Also known as Zhou's scarlet goby, Zhou's goby, Vermilion goby

FreshwaterFish

Scarlet goby (Rhinogobius zhoui)
Andrewbogott · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
61–75°F
16–24°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
12 gal
45 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Gobiidae
Origin
Native to the Lianhua Mountain area of Haifeng County in Guangdong Province, China, in shallow, fast-flowing, well-oxygenated headwater streams.

Overview

The scarlet goby is a small, cool water goby for a fast-flowing hillstream tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The scarlet goby was described only in 2008. It is named after the collector who first brought it to attention.

Caring for the scarlet goby

The scarlet goby usually does best in a dedicated hillstream tank rather than a warm community aquarium. Give it at least 12 gal (45 L), with sand or fine gravel and plenty of smooth rockwork forming caves. Run strong flow and add extra aeration.

It needs cool, spotless, fast water at 61 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. In most rooms it is best kept without a heater. Keep the water pristine and well oxygenated, with frequent water changes.

Feed meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, small live foods and sinking carnivore pellets. It ignores floating flake.

The scarlet goby is mostly peaceful, but males are territorial and defend small territories among the rocks. Provide many rocky caves, and keep a single male or give a group enough broken sight lines in a larger tank. Do not house it with small ornamental shrimp, which it will hunt.

Males are boldly patterned in red and orange, with spotted cheeks. Breeding the scarlet goby is hard.

Good to know

The scarlet goby belongs to the genus Rhinogobius, in the goby family Gobiidae. In the trade it is also sold as Zhou's goby or the vermilion goby.

In the wild

The scarlet goby comes from the Lianhua Mountain area of Haifeng County, in Guangdong Province, China. It lives in cool, clear, shallow headwater streams that run fast and are very high in oxygen. It is a bottom dweller that perches on smooth rocks and darts between them.

Common questions

What size tank does a scarlet goby need?

A scarlet goby needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a scarlet goby need?

A scarlet goby is comfortable at 61–75°F (16–24°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a scarlet goby eat?

A scarlet goby eats meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, small live foods and sinking carnivore pellets. It ignores floating flake.

How big does a scarlet goby get?

An adult scarlet goby reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male scarlet goby from a female?

Males are boldly patterned in red and orange, with spotted cheeks.

Related species