Bumblebee Gobies

[unspoken930]

What is the smallest tank size you can have one in, and should they be kept alone, in pairs, or in groups?

 

[AMS]

5 gallon s is miniumum, but 10 gallons is more appreciated. Bumble Bee Gobies benefit from being in groups, but be aware that they are territorial and will require a little space between each other.

 

[ac106]

I have a dozen in a 10 gallon. They are doing really well, they eat all the time, have grown in size and have nice color.

I am looking to upgrade to a 20L or a 30G and get 20+ BBGs. I like them that much.

While you could probably go as small as 5G, it wouldn’t be much fun. They need caves and plants to establish territories (part of the fun is watching them defend their homes). In a 5 Gallon, you can’t really do that.

Plus, they are generally easier to maintain in brackish water. A 5G brackish tank just seems... wrong in some way...


AMS and nmonks are the resident experts and will offer a lot more advice.

 

[nmonks]

I wouldn't go that far for me at least! I've kept them, yes, but never bred them or even figured out how to identify the different species.

Basically nothing to add really. The more you keep, the more fun they are. Small numbers just sit around and lurk. If it was me, and I wanted to keep these gobies, I'd set up a 20 gallon tank with lots of shells and plants, and then keep a dozen of the blighters. Though they can be kept in fresh water (and that's what they live in in the wild) as ac106 says, slightly brackish does seem somewhat more reliable. But don't overdo the salt: these need something around 1.003 to 1.005, not much higher.

My sole bumblebee died today. He was big and very fat, and eventually became hand-tame. He would swim to the top and wait to have me feed him bloodworms, one at a time. Rather sweet. They're nice fish.

Cheers,

Neale

AMS and nmonks are the resident experts and will offer a lot more advice.

 

[AMS]

LOL I am far from an expert on anything ac106. Sorry to hear about your goby nmonks, I would love to have mine come to the surface to feed.

 

[Gill]

I Love BBG and Always Jump a@ the chance to get them, AS long AS FW BBGs are in.

I agree that you need a reasonable sized group as they like to spar and defend territroy.

Mine are fed on a mix of food but they will always readily take Hikari Micro Pellets.
They Love Bloodworm and Daphnia and Mozzy Larvae(plenty off Daphnia and Mozzy Larvae down the local allotments).

Mine Like resting on the leaves of the anubias and crypts.

It also Nice to get some females - But do not know how to distinguish. All I know is that if you manage to get some, When It wants to mate it wil start flashing the males Bright Orange and Yellow and choose a spot in the tank and dart around it for ages.

I once had eggs but other fish ate them.

 

[demonmagus]

I once had eggs but other fish ate them.