Edit Stiphodon semoni

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Name

Scientific name

Stiphodon semoni

Described by

Authority Weber, Year 1895

Family

Gobiidae

Common names

Cobalt Blue Goby

Photograph credits

All 12 credited

Summary

The cobalt blue goby, Stiphodon semoni, is a stream-dwelling goby ranging from western Sumatra east to northern New Guinea and the Solomon …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

50mm, 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

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Maluku Islands, Sumatra

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

Described from Ambon Island, South Molucca Islands, a group within the Maluku Islands chain in central Indonesia, but currently considered to range eastwards f…

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 is big enough for a pair or small group but use something bigger if you want to keep multiple species together s…

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 is needed to maintain dissolved oxygen levels towards the upper end of this range. pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Hardness:…

Diet

Stiphodon spp. are specialised algal grazers feeding on benthic algae plus associated micro-organisms and possess subterminal, extrusible mouthparts with denti…

Stiphodon spp. are specialised algal grazers feeding on benthic algae plus associated micro-organisms and possess subterminal, extrusible mouthparts with dentition designed for the purpose including regenerative teeth.

The pelvic disc is also important not only to maintain position in rapidly-flowing water but also to provide leverage.

In the aquarium some sinking dried products and small, meaty foods such as live or frozen bloodworm may be accepted but should only be offered irregularly since the elongate gut is specifically designed to process vegetable matter.

For long-term success it's thus essential to provide a mature aquarium with a plentiful supply of algae-covered rocks and other surfaces.

If unable to grow sufficient algae in the main tank or you have a community containing numerous herbivorous fishes which consume what's available quickly, it may be necessary to maintain a separate container in which to grow algae on rocks and switch them with those in the main tank on a cyclical basis.

Such a 'nursery' doesn't have to be very large, requires only strong lighting and in sunny climates can be kept outdoors.

Algal type is also important with diatoms, cyanobacteria (commonly referred to as blue-green 'algae') and green varieties preferred to tougher ones like rhodophytic 'black brush' algae.

Unfortunately as a result of their specialised diet and oxygen requirements Stiphodon spp. are regularly seen on sale in an emaciated state which can be tricky to correct.

A good dealer will have done something about this prior to sale but if you decide to take a chance with severely weakened specimens they'll initially require a readily-available source of suitable foods in the absence of competitors if they're to recover.

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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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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 exhibit a greyish base body colour and a bright blue to greenish lateral stripe which i…

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 has been traded for a number of years, though not always under the correct name. We've seen it on sale as S. elegans or S. atropurpureus on numero…

References

13 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