No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Bumblebee Goby
Brachygobius xanthomelas
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Gobiidae
📍 Borneo & Malay Peninsula
A tiny goby with striking yellow-and-black banding resembling a bumblebee. Often kept in brackish water but thrives in freshwater too. Bottom-dwelling and territorial, it does best in species-only setups or with very peaceful tankmates.
Care Guide
Diet
Bumblebee Gobies are carnivorous and require live or frozen micro prey such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed small portions once daily, as they have high metabolisms and rarely accept dry foods or pellets. Supplement occasionally with finely crushed frozen foods to ensure nutritional variety.
Behavior
These tiny, bottom-dwelling gobies are territorial and semi-aggressive, especially toward conspecifics and similar-sized fish. They spend most of their time near the substrate, exploring caves and crevices. Males are more aggressive than females and will establish and defend small territories within the tank.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists. Males guard eggs in caves or crevices, and fry require infusoria and microscopic live foods initially. Success requires pristine water conditions, stable brackish parameters, and minimal disturbance during spawning.
Tank Mates
Similar size and bottom-dwelling behavior; generally peaceful enough for a brackish setup
Small goby with compatible brackish water tolerance and non-aggressive temperament
Brackish-tolerant snail that won't compete for food and helps maintain tank cleanliness
Hardy brackish snail that coexists peacefully without predation risk
Small fish compatible with brackish water, but monitor for territorial aggression from gobies
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform frequent water changes, use aquarium salt (1-2 tsp per gallon) or ich-specific medication; maintain brackish conditions carefully
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, maintain stable brackish parameters, use antibacterial medication if severe
Brackish Water Stress
Loss of appetite, color fading, erratic swimming, gasping at surface
Verify salinity (SG 1.002–1.006) and pH (7.5–8.5) are correct; perform gradual water changes to stabilize parameters
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, cloudy eyes
Use brackish-safe antiparasitic treatments; increase water changes and maintain optimal salinity and temperature
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Bumblebee Goby to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore – frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, live foods
- lifespan
- 3–4 years
- max size
- 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful, mildly territorial
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8–20 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)