Care
The Violet Dragon Goby is known from the mouths of rivers, muddy bays, and estuaries. Here these elongate bottom-dwellers feed on filamentous algae, detritus, and tiny invertebrates as they sift through the substrate.
This species requires a spacious, mature aquarium with a soft sand substrate in which it can bury. There should be a multitude of hiding places amongst rocky caves, driftwood, and salt-tolerant plants. Filtration should be efficient with areas of moderate water movement, and some quieter resting areas out of the current. Frequent partial water changes are essential to keep nitrate to a minimum. Be sure to use a quality marine salt for water changes, and monitor salinity carefully with a hydrometer. Despite the somewhat fearsome appearance, this is a species that is peaceful towards other fish, but can be rather territorial with its own kind; therefore keep only one per tank unless the aquarium is extremely voluminous and there is an abundance of visual barriers - in which case a larger group of 5+ could be kept together. Not to be kept alongside belligerent species that would outcompete it at feeding time. Good tankmates could include salt-tolerant livebearers such as mollies. Even though this is a fish with very specific aquarium needs, it remains popular with aquarists, perhaps on account of the unusual prehistoric, eel-like appearance, with tiny eyes and a continuous dorsal fin and anal fin joined to the caudal fin.
It seems that the fish in the UK trade which we've referred to as G. broussonneti is actually peruanus, a smaller species which is less tied to brackish habitats and fares better in freshwater. May also be seen on sale as Dragon Fish, Dragon Goby, or Violet Goby.
Feeding
A detritivore which consumes a lot of algae in the wild. Offer spirulina and plant-based flake and pellets alongside a variety of small frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin/Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp etc. In tanks housing other fish, the gobies may require target feeding to ensure they are receiving their fair share.
Breeding
The Violet Dragon Goby has not been bred in the home aquarium.
