Red Papua Goby

Name: Red Papua Goby
SKU: 15752
Availability: InStock

₹200

The Red Belted Goby ( $S i cyo p u s zos t ero p h or u s$ ) is a distinctive freshwater dwarf goby known for the bright red and yellow coloration displayed by dominant males. It is a tiny, active micropredator that originates from fast-flowing island streams and requires a specialized diet of meaty live or frozen foods.

Categories: Fish Specific, Guppy

Description

fish description – Red Belted Goby Care Guide ( $S i cyo p u s zos t ero p h or u s$ )

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$S i cyo p u s zos t ero p h or u s$
Common Name	Red Belted Goby, Red Papua Goby
Origin	Fast-flowing island streams of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, etc.)
Adult Size	1.5–2 inches (3.8–5 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful with most fish, territorial with other bottom-dwellers
Lifespan	5–8 years
Care Level	Moderate to Difficult (specialized habitat and diet)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

Short Description: This tiny goby showcases beautiful bright red and yellow coloration in mature males, contrasting with a subtle body pattern. Like all gobies in this group, they possess a strong ventral suction cup to anchor against the current.
Coloration: Males exhibit vibrant red/orange and yellow coloration, particularly on the rear half of the body and the second dorsal fin. Females are less colorful but still active.
Fins: The pelvic fins are fused into a suction disc, which is essential for clinging to rocks in high water flow. They are notorious for being able to climb out of the tank if a lid is not secure.
Behavior: They are very active, clinging to or scurrying across the substrate and rockwork. They are generally peaceful but become territorial toward competing bottom-feeders, especially in smaller tanks.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons is the minimum for a single specimen, but 30+ gallons is better for stability and to house a group. A tight-fitting, weighted lid is mandatory.
Schooling: Can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Keeping a mixed-sex group will encourage the most vibrant male coloring.
Temperature: Tropical range: $7 2^{\circ}$ – $7 9^{\circ} F (2 2^{\circ}$ – $2 6^{\circ} C)$ . High oxygen content is the most crucial parameter, requiring very strong filtration/water movement.
pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic water: 6.0 to 7.5. They require heavy water flow (10–15x turnover per hour) to simulate their natural stream environment.
Aquascape: Replicate a clean, rocky stream. Use fine sand or smooth gravel, and abundant smooth river rocks and driftwood. Arrange decor to create high-flow areas and provide plenty of hiding crevices. Plants like Anubias are excellent.

Diet and Feeding

The Red Belted Goby is a micropredator and exclusively requires high-quality carnivorous foods.

Staple Diet: They are predators of small invertebrates in the wild. Dry foods (flakes/pellets) are typically ignored and should not be relied upon.
Supplementation: Diet must consist of high-quality frozen and live meaty foods of appropriate size: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, and Mysis Shrimp.
Schedule: Feed small amounts once or twice a day, ensuring the food is accessible at the bottom of the tank.

Compatibility

Caution: They can be territorial and should be watched carefully with other slow-moving or passive bottom-dwellers. Do not house with dwarf shrimp as they may prey upon them; larger shrimp species are generally safe.
Good Tank Mates: Small, peaceful, mid-to-upper water column fish that can handle the strong current required for the goby. Examples include small Rasboras, Tetras, and Hillstream Loaches.