The Decora Goby, scientifically known as Signigobius biocellatus, is a charming and relatively small saltwater goby that can be a delightful addition to a peaceful reef aquarium. They are known for their distinctive appearance and interesting sand-sifting behavior.
Appearance:
- They have an elongated, slender body with a pale white to tan base color.
- Their most striking feature is the presence of two prominent black spots outlined in bright blue on their dorsal fin. These "false eyespots" are thought to confuse predators.
- They often have subtle orange or reddish markings on their head and fins.
- They possess large, expressive eyes typical of gobies.
- They reach a maximum size of around 6-8 cm (2.5-3 inches).
Natural Habitat:
- Decora Gobies are native to the Indo-Pacific region, including areas around Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of Australia.
- They inhabit sandy bottoms in shallow reef areas, often found in pairs.
Aquarium Care:
- Minimum Tank Size: A tank of at least 75 liters (20 gallons) is recommended for a single Decora Goby, but a larger tank (100 liters/26 gallons or more) is preferable for a pair or a small group.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F) - This range should be easily maintained in Caboolture, but a reliable heater is essential for cooler periods.
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.020-1.025 specific gravity (sg)
- Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
- Nitrate: Below 20 ppm
- Substrate: A deep (at least 2-3 inches), fine sand bed is absolutely crucial. They are active sand-sifters and use the substrate to forage for food and create burrows.
- Aquascaping: Provide some live rock with caves and crevices for them to retreat to when feeling threatened. However, ensure there are also open sandy areas for them to sift.
- Water Flow: Gentle to moderate water flow is suitable.
- Lighting: Standard reef aquarium lighting is generally sufficient.
Temperament and Tank Mates:
- Decora Gobies are generally peaceful and make excellent additions to a reef community tank.
- They can be kept in pairs if introduced simultaneously as juveniles. Established pairs may be more territorial towards other gobies.
- They are generally reef safe and will not bother corals.
- Suitable Tank Mates: Other small, peaceful reef fish such as:
- Clownfish
- Small gobies (avoid sand-sifting competitors)
- Blennies
- Small wrasses
- Firefish
- Cardinalfish
- Use caution with:
- Other sand-sifting gobies, as they may compete for food and territory.
- Larger or more aggressive fish that could intimidate or prey on them.
Diet:
- Decora Gobies are carnivorous sand-sifters. They sift through the sand, consuming small invertebrates and microorganisms.
- In the aquarium, their diet should be supplemented with:
- Small frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and cyclops.
- High-quality small sinking pellets or granules.
- Live foods like copepods and amphipods (often found in a healthy reef tank).
- It's important to ensure they are getting enough to eat, especially in newly established tanks with limited natural food sources in the sand bed. Target feeding with a baster near their burrows can be helpful.
Special Considerations:
- Deep Sand Bed: A deep, mature sand bed is vital for their well-being and natural feeding behavior.
- Quarantine: It's always recommended to quarantine new arrivals to observe for any signs of disease.
- Observe Feeding: Ensure they are actively sifting sand and getting enough supplemental food.
