Blue neon goby

Stiphodon atropurpureus is an amphidromous rheophilic goby native to short, clear coastal streams across Taiwan, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the northern Philippines. Displaying males are stunning, with a glowing turquoise-to-blue body and orange fin margins, while females show a plainer striped pattern. It is peaceful toward other species but males skirmish harmlessly over prime grazing stones. Provide a mature aquarium with brisk current, high oxygenation, smooth rounded rocks and abundant algal biofilm at 22 to 26 Celsius in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Its diet is almost entirely aufwuchs, the algae and micro-organisms coating hard surfaces, so it must not be housed in a sterile tank. Supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables and biofilm-encouraging lighting. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as these gobies can climb wet surfaces.