Edit Rhinogobius formosanus

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Name

Scientific name

Rhinogobius formosanus

Described by

Authority Oshima, Year 1919

Family

Gobiidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 10 credited

Summary

Rhinogobius formosanus is a goby endemic to river systems of northern and northeastern Taiwan. Previously considered a subspecies of R. nag…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

100mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 18–28°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Territorial

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

China, Taiwan, Danshui, Marlian, Peishi, Wulaokun

Writing

Etymology

Rhinogobius: from the Greek rhinos, meaning 'nose', and the generic name Gobius. formosanus: named for 'Formosa', a historic name for the island of Taiwan.

Distribution

This species is endemic to river systems of northern and northeastern Taiwan. Type locality is 'Shinchiku, Taiwan', Shinchiku referring to a prefecture (admini…

Habitat

Not written yet

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm is large enough to house a small group.

Maintenance

Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to simulate a flowing stream with a substrate of va…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Rhinogobius spp. tend to be opportunistic carnivores feeding on a range of small invertebrates, crustaceans and similar in nature. In the aquarium they should …

Behaviour and compatibility

This is a robust species and can be aggressive at times but it can be kept in a community provided tankmates are chosen with care. Peaceful, pelagic species wh…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males possess more extended dorsal and anal fins, a more intensive colour pattern, and grow larger than females. In gravid females the eggs are visible a…

Reproduction

Some wild populations of this species have evolved a complex amphidromous breeding strategy in which adults live and spawn in freshwater or brackish streams an…

Some wild populations of this species have evolved a complex amphidromous breeding strategy in which adults live and spawn in freshwater or brackish streams and the pelagic post-hatch larvae are washed downstream to the sea where the post-larval fry spend the first part of their life developing in estuarine nursery zones under brackish to full marine conditions.

Once they reach a certain stage of development they begin to migrate upstream with some moving into freshwater tributaries and others remaining in lower, tidally-influenced habitats.

Those exported for the aquarium trade to date appear to be entirely freshwater, however, or it may be that this species is able to reproduce in such conditions if necessary.

In nature the fish are reproductively active from summer to early autumn and during this period males begin to defend territories which tend to be centred around a flattish rock or stone beneath which the eggs are deposited, so it's essential to provide such rocks in the breeding tank.

The eggs are very small compared with many congeners and up to 3000 or so may be deposited by a single female.

Post-spawning the female is ejected and the male assumes responsibility for brood care and guarding.

Incubation is normally 3-4 days and the larvae drift in the water column for 24 hours or so post-hatching, after which they begin to move with a greater sense of direction.

Initial food needs to be very small with freshwater rotifers or similar required until they're able to accept Artemia nauplii and suchlike.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

R. formosanus was previously considered to be a subspecies of R. nagoyae but has generally been accepted as distinct since 2008. It can be told apart from othe…

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References