Tropical Bumblebee Goby

Bumblebee Fish or Bumblebee Goby, synonym: Brachygobius xanthozona is a brackish water ornamental fish derived from the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. The Bumblebee Goby is a small, relatively peaceful fish that does not tolerate intrusion into its territory. It features a long thin body that is black with yellow stripes.

The ideal set-up is an aquarium with brackish water and plenty of plants and rocks providing the Gobies with ample hiding places. Although they do well in a community setting, they will thrive the best in the company of only their own species.

Even though they live in the brackish water, the addition of freshwater will induce spawning. The female will lay the eggs in the substrate beneath a root or rock where the male will fertilize them. After fertilization, the male will guard the eggs for approximately four days until the fry become waterborne.

The Bumblebee Goby requires a diet rich in small, live foods such as tubifex worms, bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. 'Bumblebee Gobies' generally will not accept flakes and live food is recommended, however frozen meaty food and freeze dried food may sometimes be taken. Start feeding them with live bloodworms, blackworms, bbs, etc and then gradually introduce frozen versions of such food. If the frozen worms or shrimp are seen to move in the current they will be taken. Then you can make such food the staple, but feed them with live specimens at least once a week. Add plants, rocks, driftwood, etc. so territories could be staked.

Bumblebee Goby as seen in pictures is a very exotic, colorful and attractive fish that stays very small. Although these Gobies have been found as brackish fish but they can also be kept in freshwater, this exotic fish does better in a brackish water set-up. Addition of marine salt to the water to simulate low end brackish water conditions is recommended.

The Bumblebee Goby prefers a moderately low current especially in the bottom area of the tank where this fish resides. Live blackworms and live brine shrimp are both relished.