Bumblebee Goby, lat. Brachygobius doriae- Brachygobius doriae distribution
Family: Gobiidae;
Genus: Brachygobius;
Species and synonyms: Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius doriae, Bumblebee Goby, Brachygobius doriae).
GBIF:
Bumblebee Goby (lat. Brachygobius doriae) is a species of ray-finned fish from the order Gobiiformes, family Gobiidae, genus Brachygobius. One of the smallest and most popular dwarf gobies in the aquarium hobby.
Distribution. The natural range of the Bumblebee Goby covers brackish and freshwater bodies of Southeast Asia: the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Java, as well as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The fish prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, often found in mangrove forests, estuaries, rivers and canals with dense vegetation.
Care requirements. The Bumblebee Goby is a dwarf fish that grows up to 3–4 cm in the aquarium. To keep a group (minimum 5–6 specimens), an aquarium of at least 40 liters with a length of 40 cm is recommended. It is important to keep them in a species-only aquarium with plenty of shelters. Optimal water parameters: temperature 24–28°C, hardness 8–20 dGH, pH 7.0–8.5. Filtration with moderate flow, aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are necessary. Sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood, stones and plenty of shelters (shells, ceramic pipes) are placed at the bottom. Plants are planted in the substrate, creating dense thickets.
Bumblebee Gobies are predators, feeding on small invertebrates, worms and insect larvae in the wild. In the aquarium, their diet should consist of live and frozen foods (bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops). It is important to provide protein-rich food. Feed should be 1–2 times a day in small portions.
In the aquarium, Bumblebee Gobies are active in the lower water layers. They are territorial and aggressive towards conspecifics, especially during spawning. It is recommended to keep them in a species-only aquarium with plenty of shelters. It is not recommended to keep them with slow-moving or too small fish, as well as with fish that may compete for food.
Breeding in home aquariums is possible under proper conditions. Bumblebee Gobies are egg-laying fish, spawning in caves, under rocks or in shells. They reach sexual maturity at 6–8 months. To stimulate spawning, water changes with fresh water and a temperature increase of 1–2°C are recommended. The male guards the eggs. Eggs incubate for 5–7 days, fry are fed infusoria, Artemia nauplii and fine dry food.
The Bumblebee Goby gets its name from its characteristic coloration: the body is yellow or golden with black transverse stripes resembling a bee's pattern. Males have brighter coloration and are larger than females. It is one of the smallest aquarium fish, suitable for nano-aquariums. Life expectancy is 3–5 years.