Care
Found in vegetated freshwater habitats past the range of tidal influence as well as areas of mangrove growth, this tiny goby is more at home in hard alkaline water than its more salt-dependent relatives.
Their aquarium should be mature and furnished with a soft sand substrate, fine coral sand will help to keep the water hard and alkaline in areas where tap water differs from the desired parameters. Create plenty of hiding places using smooth rocks/cobbles, large shells, tangles of driftwood, and dense clumps of hardy vegetation. Species such as Anubias and Vallisneria will cope well with harder water. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement fairly gentle. Small, frequent water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum, particularly important as this species is especially sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. It may be beneficial to longterm health to give this species occasional exposure to brackish conditions and they are also suitable for a low salinity aquarium. Also known as the Schooling Bumblebee Goby, this species is more social than others in the genus so it is always best to keep a large sized group (8 or more) so that any territorial behaviour is spread evenly throughout the group, with no single fish bearing the continual brunt of it. Smaller groups do not often fare as well. Ensure there are plenty of caves and crevices (visual barriers) in order for males to form their territories when in the mood for spawning. Tankmates are largely ignored but problems can occur with competition at feeding time, when fast-moving midwater fishes are likely to consume most of the food before these fussy bottom-dwellers get to it. Thawing frozen foods and pouring them from a container of water can allow particles to disperse around the aquarium to help ensure that all of the inhabitants get their share. Species such as Glassfish and halfbeaks can work well, thriving under the same conditions and requiring similar foods.
Feeding
Frequent feeding is essential. Small meaty frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp and Mysis shrimp together with live foods. Unlikely to take dried foods.
Breeding
Bumblebee Gobies are paternal cave spawners and it can be assumed that this species follows the same breeding style.
