A bottom-dwelling stream goby with fused pelvic fins; demands live foods and pristine, cool water.
Care parameters
Water temperature
18–26 °C
pH
7–8.2
GH hardness
8–18 dGH
Adult length
4–6 cm
Minimum tank
30 L
Water layer
Bottom; perches on stones
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperament
Territorial toward its own kind; ignores other species
Origin
Central & southern China — streams south of the Yangtze
Species overview
The Amur goby is a bottom-perching character with fused pelvic fins forming a suction disc. It watches the world from its favorite stone and sips live prey from the current. It refuses most dry foods, so keep it where frozen bloodworm and live foods are routine.
Native biotope
Habitat
Rocky shallows of clear streams
Flow
Moderate to strong
Dissolved O₂
Likes well-oxygenated water
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Smooth gravel and pebbles it can grip
Hardscape
Flat stones arranged as lookout perches
Plants
Minimal; a few Anubias on rocks
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
One male per tank; pairs in larger tanks
Diet
Carnivore; insists on live and frozen foods
Recommended tankmates
Fast mid-water minnows — Stay above its zone
Hillstream loach — Different niche, same flow
Amano shrimp — Large enough to be safe
Avoid keeping with
Other male gobies — Constant turf wars
Slow bottom fish — Outcompeted for food
Small shrimp — Hunted
Breeding & notes
Sexual dimorphism
Males grow larger with bolder head markings; females are smaller and drabber
Breeding method
Cave and crevice spawner; the male guards adhesive eggs on the underside of stones.