TankBud

Storthynx dwarfgoby

Eviota storthynx

Also known as Hairfin Nano Goby, Hairfin Goby, Rosy Eviota, Belly-Spotted Pygmy Goby

SaltwaterFish

Storthynx dwarfgoby (Eviota storthynx)
Biota · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
1 in
2.5 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
19 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Gobiidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific (Indonesia to southern Japan)

Overview

The Storthynx dwarfgoby is a tiny, peaceful goby for a nano reef tank. It is among the easier reef fish to keep.

Did you know

The Storthynx dwarfgoby is sold as the hairfin nano goby, for its elongated fin rays. The formal name hairfin dwarfgoby belongs to a different species, Eviota prasites. The scientific name is the safest handle for this one.

Caring for the Storthynx dwarfgoby

The Storthynx dwarfgoby needs a tank of at least 5 gal (19 L). Even a very small tank works when the scape offers a few tight hiding spots. It claims nooks and crannies in the rock, darting out for food and backing in again.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed small pellets, Calanus and baby brine shrimp in a few small portions a day.

The Storthynx dwarfgoby is peaceful alone or in a small group. A group shows more behavior, as the fish trade places at the best lookouts. Nothing in the tank should be big enough to eat a fish under three centimeters.

Dominant males develop a grayish head and four elongated dorsal fin rays. Females keep a deeper red gill patch and only two elongated rays. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The Storthynx dwarfgoby was described by Robert Rofen in 1959, from Sulu Province in the southern Philippines. He placed it in the genus Eviotops, which taxonomists later folded into Eviota.

In the wild

The Storthynx dwarfgoby lives on shallow inshore reefs with heavy algae cover. It ranges from Indonesia and the Philippines north to southern Japan.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Storthynx dwarfgoby is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. 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 Storthynx dwarfgoby need?

A Storthynx dwarfgoby needs at least 5 gal (19 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Storthynx dwarfgoby need?

A Storthynx dwarfgoby is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Storthynx dwarfgoby eat?

A Storthynx dwarfgoby eats small pellets, Calanus and baby brine shrimp. Feed it in a few small portions a day.

How big does a Storthynx dwarfgoby get?

An adult Storthynx dwarfgoby reaches about 1 in (2.5 cm).

How can you tell a male Storthynx dwarfgoby from a female?

Males that become dominant develop a grayish head and four elongated dorsal fin rays. Females keep a deeper red gill patch and only two of those rays.

Related species