Peacock Goby
A small, jewelled gudgeon in blue and yellow with red-edged fins and a dark eyespot at the tail base. Cave-spawning, characterful and one of the best small fish for a quiet planted tank.
Feeding
Prefers meaty foods. Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus quality micro-pellets. Often refuses dry flake.
Compatibility
Peaceful but not a shoaler. Keep as a pair or a small group with plenty of caves so each male has territory. Best with calm, slow-feeding tankmates.
Behaviour and personality
Perches and hops between vantage points rather than swimming constantly. Males defend a cave and colour up hard when displaying.
Before you buy
Will often ignore flake entirely, so budget for frozen food. Provide more caves than you have males, or risk territorial disputes.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.5 cm |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Temperature | 20-24°C |
| Water pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Hardness | 3-8 dGH |
FAQ
What type of food does the Peacock Goby prefer?
The Peacock Goby prefers meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp. It often refuses dry flake food.
Can Peacock Gobies be kept in a group?
Peacock Gobies are not shoaling fish. They should be kept as a pair or small group with plenty of caves to allow each male to establish its own territory.
How does the Peacock Goby behave in the tank?
It perches and hops between vantage points rather than swimming continuously. Males become more colorful when displaying and defend their caves aggressively.
Anne McGrath –
The Peacock Goby is a striking addition to my planted tank. It’s active but not noisy, and the bright colors stand out well. I feed it frozen bloodworms daily and it’s very accepting. The males are calm when not displaying, and I’ve provided several caves to avoid conflicts.
James Black –
I bought this fish for a quiet tank setup, and it fits perfectly. It doesn’t eat flake, so I switched to frozen foods. The fish is very curious and hops around the rocks. I keep it with a few slow-moving species and it’s peaceful.
Andrea Mackenzie –
A beautiful and unique fish. It’s very active in its perching behavior and shows off its colors when defending its cave. I made sure to have more caves than males, and it’s been a stable addition to my tank for over six months.