Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby

The Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby  is a lesser known freshwater dwarf goby that is native to Indonesia. It is distinctive for the bright orange dorsal fins that both males and most females display. Females are not as colorful, but are still very attractively marked with black and cream-colored stripes. This fascinating, peaceful fish is an algae and biofilm grazer that is an excellent candidate for the mature nano aquarium.

An aquarium with heavy water flow (10 to 15 times turnover per hour) and very clean, clear water is required for the Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby. This fish is native to shallow, clear, fast-flowing waters and it is sensitive to declines in water quality, so regular aquarium maintenance is a must.

The Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby is a biofilm and algae grazer in nature. It is known to usually accept frozen meaty foods, but such foods should only be fed occasionally. This fish will also sometimes accept high-quality dry foods that are rich in plant matter, but it is absolutely essential that biofilm and algae are naturally available in the aquarium to ensure its long-term health or else it may slowly starve. As long as it is kept in a well-maintained, mature aquarium with good biofilm and algae growth as well as high water flow, the Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby is a hardy and entertaining fish. It will not bother aquarium plants. In fact, Anubias species are an excellent plant to keep with this goby because Anubias can foster significant biofilm/algae growth in an aquarium with moderate to high lighting.

Most small rasboras, tetras, hillstream loaches, and other small, peaceful fish are good tankmates for the Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby. Due to its small size and diet, the it can also be kept with dwarf shrimp, although it might eat a few of their fry.  Dwarf shrimp are particularly good tankmates in larger aquariums where they can find areas of lower water flow.  Peaceful bottom-dwelling fish are also a possibility, but care must be taken to make sure that the passive Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby is not outcompeted for food. Female Orange Fin Stiphodon Gobies will often congregate together, even with other goby species such as the Blue or Gold Neon Dwarf Goby. Males seem to be able to differentiate between females of different species during courtship behavior.

There are reported cases of the Orange Fin Stiphodon Goby spawning in the aquarium, but it is very difficult (if not currently impossible) to raise the fry due to their complex larval stages. In nature, adults spawn and their fry hatch in freshwater, then they are immediately swept downstream to marine ocean waters where they feed and develop. As the fry mature, they swim great distances back to full freshwater streams, often on completely different islands than where they originated. At this point, the fry have become young adults and will soon be sexually mature and exhibit adult coloration.