Twinspot signal goby

The twinspot signal goby is a small, distinctive marine goby of the family Gobiidae, native to the western Pacific around Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia. It is patterned in mottled brown and white with two large blue-ringed eyespots on the dorsal fins, which it flashes to appear larger and deter predators. It is a sand-sifting carnivore that continuously scoops mouthfuls of substrate to extract tiny invertebrates and microfauna. Pairs are often seen working the sand together, waving their spotted fins in a nodding display. It is unfortunately difficult to keep long-term because it depends on a rich supply of live microfauna in a deep, mature sand bed, which small tanks quickly exhaust. It needs a large established system, fine sand, and regular feeding of small meaty foods. It is peaceful and non-aggressive but easily outcompeted, so calm tankmates are essential.