Edit Stiphodon birdsong
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Name
Scientific name
Stiphodon birdsong
Described by
Authority Watson, Year 1996
Family
Gobiidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
Stiphodon birdsong is a tiny stream-dwelling goby from Halmahera Island east along the northern coast of Papua New Guinea to Fergusson Isla…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
23mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Lentak
Writing
Etymology
Stiphodon: from the Greek στίφος (stifos), meaning 'swarm, horde', and ὀδών (odon), meaning 'toothed', in reference to the numerous, closely-packed teeth in th…
Distribution
Its current known range extends eastwards from Halmahera Island around the northern coastline of Papua New Guinea as far as Fergusson Island off the latter's e…
Habitat
Members of this genus are near-exclusive inhabitants of short coastal streams on tropical, often volcanic, islands, with typical habitats lying above waterfall…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm should be big enough for a pair or small group but use something bigger if you want to keep multiple species tog…
Maintenance
These gobies aren't too difficult to keep provided some basic requirements are met. Most importantly the water must be clean and well-oxygenated at all times s…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 28 °C; increased surface agitation may be needed to maintain dissolved oxygen levels towards the upper end of this range. pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Hardn…
Diet
Stiphodon spp. are specialised algal grazers feeding on benthic algae plus associated micro-organisms and possess subterminal, extrusible mouthparts with denti…
Behaviour and compatibility
Stiphodon spp. can be kept in a community provided tankmates are chosen with care. Peaceful, similarly-sized species which naturally inhabit well-oxygenated st…
Sexual dimorphism
As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced; males have either an orange or greyish body (we're unsure if this is related to sexual maturi…
Reproduction
Observations of courtship behaviour and the occasional spawning exist but to date no-one has managed to raise fry of any Stiphodon spp. in captivity. This is u…
Notes
This species probably hasn't been seen in the aquarium trade. It's most similar to S. surrufus and S. mele from which it differs only in terms of meristics. It…
References
References
9 on this profile