Hi Fin Red Banded Goby

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment3–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Hi Fin Red Banded Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes) comes from the Indo-Pacific and reaches about 5 to 6 cm. It is a shrimp goby: in the wild it lives in a burrow excavated and maintained by a pistol shrimp, and the two are genuine partners, with the near-blind shrimp keeping a feeler on the goby while it works and the goby signalling danger with a flick of the tail. A pair needs 60 litres or more at 24-27C, salinity 1.024 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4, with a sand and rubble bed at least 5 cm deep so a burrow can be dug, plus rockwork above it. Feed frozen mysis, cyclops and enriched brine shrimp. Unlike most shrimp gobies it hovers above the burrow rather than resting on the sand, which makes it far more visible than a typical watchman goby. Pair it with a tiger or randall's pistol shrimp for the full partnership, keep the tank tightly covered because it jumps, and choose calm tankmates that will not intimidate it away from its burrow.

• How active is a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Hi Fin Red Banded Goby live?

  3–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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