Decora Goby - (No Online Purchases)

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.