White-cheek goby

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep it at 16 to 24 C with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 in a tank of 60 litres or more with brisk, oxygen rich flow. It is mildly territorial but works as a small group when given enough rockwork and floor space to break up sight lines. Good tankmates include danios, white cloud minnows and hillstream loaches that enjoy the same cool current. Feed frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small sinking foods, since it feeds from the bottom and will not chase flake.

In the wild

White-cheek gobies live in cool, quick hillstreams with a rocky or sandy bed and very well oxygenated water. They hop and perch along the bottom, males flashing white cheeks and colorful fins. Set up a tank with strong flow, extra aeration, sand or fine gravel and lots of smooth stones and caves. They pair naturally with other temperate, current loving species.

Good to know

Rhinogobius duospilus is a small freshwater goby from the Pearl River region and is one of the more commonly imported members of its genus. Males are more colorful and defend small territories, especially around caves used for spawning. It prefers cool water and tolerates a wide temperature range down toward 10 C.

Did you know

Males spawn in caves and the male then guards the clutch, fanning the eggs with his fins until the fry hatch.

Related species

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• 

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• 

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