Sumatran Red Goby Care Guide – How to Keep This Rare Nano Goby Thriving
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Introduction: A Fiery Red Treasure for Nano Aquariums
The Sumatran Red Goby is a striking freshwater bottom-dweller prized for its deep red coloration, rare availability, and peaceful temperament. Native to streams and rivers of Indonesia, this fish thrives in well-oxygenated tanks with natural scaping and stable conditions.
Whether you’re a nano tank enthusiast or building out a Southeast Asian biotope, this rare goby is a show-stopper that adds subtle movement and vibrant color to the bottom of your setup.
🔍 Species Overview
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhinogobius rubromaculatus (likely) |
| Size (Adult) | 1.5–2 inches |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful, slightly territorial |
| Origin | Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Tank Level | Bottom-dweller |
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
🏠 Ideal Tank Setup
🧱 Tank Size
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Minimum: 10 gallons for a trio
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Ideal: 15–20 gallons with footprint space
🪨 Substrate & Decor
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Soft sand or fine gravel
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Caves, rocks, and natural crevices
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Leaf litter, driftwood for tannins
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Plenty of hiding spots to reduce stress
💧 Filtration & Flow
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Sponge filter or gentle HOB filter
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Moderate flow preferred, mimicking stream habitat
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Ensure high oxygen levels and clean water
💧 Water Parameters
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH | 6.8–7.5 |
| Hardness | 4–12 dGH |
| Ammonia/Nitrites | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | < 30 ppm |
Perform 25–40% weekly water changes to maintain pristine conditions.
🍽️ Feeding
Sumatran Red Gobies are micropredators in the wild.
✅ Recommended Foods:
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Live/frozen daphnia, bloodworms, baby brine shrimp
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Micropellets (if accepted)
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Crushed flakes or gel foods
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Feed 1–2x per day in small portions
They prefer slow-sinking food and will often ignore flakes floating at the surface.
🧠 Behavior & Temperament
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Peaceful toward other species
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Can be mildly territorial with same-sex gobies — best in groups of 3–5
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Enjoy perching and watching from rock ledges
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Display subtle interactions with tank mates
They are most active during early mornings and late evenings.
👫 Tank Mate Compatibility
✅ Ideal Tank Mates:
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Ember Tetras
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Celestial Pearl Danios
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Sparkling Gouramis
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Otocinclus
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Dwarf Corydoras
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Amano or small shrimp (with caution)
❌ Avoid:
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Large or aggressive fish
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Fast-swimming barbs or danios
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Long-finned slow fish that may be stressed by activity near the substrate
🧬 Breeding Potential
While rarely bred in home aquariums, Sumatran Red Gobies may show territorial courtship behaviors in small groups with rocky caves.
Breeding tips:
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Condition with live foods
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Slight increase in temperature
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Dim lighting and secluded hiding areas
🦠 Common Health Concerns
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Stress-related wasting from poor water or overcrowding
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Internal parasites (treat new arrivals with general dewormer)
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Fungal issues if kept in stagnant, dirty water
Prevention:
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Quarantine new fish
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Weekly water changes
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Avoid overcrowding or overfeeding
💲 Why Buy from RobsAquatics.com?
At RobsAquatics.com, we ship hand-selected Sumatran Red Gobies that are:
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Quarantined and parasite-free
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Acclimated to aquarium life
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Shipped overnight with professional packaging
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Backed by a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee
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Supported by expert care guides and YouTube videos
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Sumatran Red Goby is a beautiful and rewarding nano species that adds movement and color to any peaceful tank. With proper care, stable water, and a natural setup, they’ll live long, healthy lives as the stars of your substrate.
👉 Order your Sumatran Red Goby (3-pack) from RobsAquatics.com and bring a rare, peaceful oddball into your aquarium today!