TankBud

Teardrop goby

Sicyopus multisquamatus

Also known as Multisquamatus goby

FreshwaterFish

Teardrop goby (Sicyopus multisquamatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Oxudercidae
Origin
Sundaland streams

Overview

The teardrop goby is a small, current-loving stream goby for a fast, clean tank. It is best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

The teardrop goby's common name comes from a dark, teardrop-shaped mark below each eye. Behind that sad face sit bright blue eyes and two orange bands. The fish uses those colors to signal to rivals and mates in its clear stream home.

Caring for the teardrop goby

Keep a small group of teardrop gobies in at least 14 gal (54 L), with strong flow. Use a floor of smooth cobbles and pebbles, and break up the lines of sight so rival males have space. An internal pump or river-style return, a tight-fitting lid and plenty of surface movement matter far more than plants.

It needs clean, cool, oxygen-rich water more than anything else. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. It is a micro-predator that largely ignores algae, so feed small meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

The teardrop goby spends its time on the bottom, perching on rock and darting between stones. It is peaceful with other fish, though rival males will squabble over the best perches. Keep it with other calm, flow-tolerant species rather than slow warmwater community fish.

Like its relatives, it is amphidromous. Adults live and breed in fresh water, and the hatched larvae wash down to the sea to develop. The tiny juveniles then climb back upstream, and home breeding has not been recorded.

Good to know

Sicyopus multisquamatus belongs to the family Oxudercidae, subfamily Sicydiinae. It climbs with fused pelvic fins that form a suction cup, letting it grip wet rock against the current.

In the wild

In the wild, the teardrop goby lives in fast, clear forest streams on Indonesian islands. The water there tumbles over rock, and it stays cool and highly oxygenated. Plants are scarce in these shaded home streams.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The teardrop goby 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 teardrop goby need?

A teardrop goby needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a teardrop goby need?

A teardrop goby is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a teardrop goby eat?

A teardrop goby is a micro-predator that largely ignores algae. Feed it small meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

How big does a teardrop goby get?

An adult teardrop goby reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).

How does a teardrop goby breed?

Teardrop gobies are amphidromous. Adults breed in fresh water, the larvae develop at sea, and the juveniles climb back upstream. Home breeding has not been recorded.

Related species