Decorated Goby (Istigobius decoratus)

The Decorated Goby is an ornate substrate-dwelling goby that animates the lower regions of your aquarium with its daily antics. The Decorated Goby will actively roam the substrate in search for food and even swim up into the water column to feed. The decorative, mottled patterning allows the Decorated Goby to blend effortlessly into dark-colored sandy substrate. However, against a lighter-colored substrate, it easier to appreciate the intricate colors and patterning that adorns this attractive sand-sifting goby.

To be successfully cared for, the Decorated Goby should be housed in a well-established 20-gallon or larger aquarium with coarse coralline-encrusted rubble and live sand as the substrate. A populated attached refugium is important to provide a continuous live food source for the Decorated Goby. A well-sealed canopy should also be provided, as the Decorated Goby is capable of leaping out of the aquarium. The Decorated Goby is non-aggressive towards other fish but will demonstrate territorial behavior and fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair.

As the Decorated Goby sifts through mouthfuls of substrate, it feeds on food items that live within the sand. This natural feeding behavior has the added benefit of keeping the substrate well oxygenated. The Decorated Goby feeds on a variety of live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, live black worms, and prepared foods for carnivores, and should be fed frequently.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: <2", Medium: 2"-3", Large: 3"-4".

Care details

• Temperature: 64 - 77° F
• dKH: 8 - 12
• Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
• Family: Gobiidae
• Diet: Carnivore