Family: Gobiidae
Nantaiensis Goby — a Gobiidae from mountain streams of E & S China, peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Reaches 4.7–6.8 cm; a bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere. 18–26 °C.
A Gobiidae species native to mountain streams of E & S China: Rhinogobius nantaiensis lives bottom-dwelling over sand. Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Adults reach 4.7–6.8 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Rhinogobius species we profile, alongside Rhinogobius brunneus, Rhinogobius cliffordpopei, Rhinogobius flumineus.
Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. A bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere.
Set the heater to 18–26 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.
Expect 4.7–6.8 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 55 L tank or larger gives it room.
Small carnivore — live, frozen and fine sinking foods. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Recommended tankmates: Shrimps in a species setup — A classic pairing for the dedicated. Avoid Other gobies of the same species without extra caves — Territorial wars over refuges.
Comes from mountain streams of E & S China: shallow streams and estuaries over sand. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
In the aquarium: hidden-clutch spawner with paternal care. Males larger and more colourful.