Chinese Vermilion Goby — a Gobiidae from mountain streams of E & S China, peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Reaches 2.7–4 cm; a bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere. 18–26 °C.
Care parameters
Water temperature
18–26 °C
pH
6.5–7.5
GH hardness
5–15 dGH
Adult length
2.7–4 cm
Minimum tank
25 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind
Origin
mountain streams of E & S China
Species overview
Rhinogobius zhoui is a Gobiidae from mountain streams of E & S China. Every rock overhang is real estate; give each fish a cave and the tank stays peaceful. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 2.7–4 cm. A bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere. Provide fine sand or smooth gravel, a cave per fish, and gentle to moderate flow. Maintain 18–26 °C at pH 6.5–7.5. Water quality and diet matter more than décor.
Native biotope
Habitat
Shallow streams and estuaries over sand
Flow
Still to gentle current
Dissolved O₂
Moderate
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Fine sand
Hardscape
Flat stones and shells
Plants
Sparse hardy plants
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
A bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere
Diet
Small carnivore — live, frozen and fine sinking foods
Recommended tankmates
Shrimps in a species setup — A classic pairing for the dedicated
Avoid keeping with
Other gobies of the same species without extra caves — Territorial wars over refuges