What tank size does a Bumblebee Goby need?

A Bumblebee Goby needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres (10.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Bumblebee Goby need?

Bumblebee Goby does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–20 °dGH.

What group size does a Bumblebee Goby need?

Bumblebee Goby is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Bumblebee Goby suitable for beginners?

Bumblebee Goby is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Species library

Bumblebee Goby

Brachygobius doriae

Oxudercidae

FishDifficulty: ●●●●○Data: well-established

📷 Sven Kullander · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Bumblebee Goby — Brachygobius doriae — 📷 Sven Kullander · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The bumblebee goby is a tiny, boldly black-and-yellow banded bottom-dweller from the coastal streams, estuaries and mangrove fringes of Southeast Asia. Shy but territorial toward its own kind, it does best in a small brackish species tank with sand, caves and sightline breaks, and rewards patient keepers who cater to its picky, meaty appetite.

Care

Keep a small group of 6+ in a low-end brackish nano tank with a sandy bottom, many caves and clear sightline breaks to spread territorial disputes. Hard, alkaline water and gentle flow suit it best.

Diet

Specialist micro-carnivore that usually ignores dry food; offer small live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and bloodworm.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Colour and patternA hint only · from about 6 months, and only on a settled fish
In rainbowfish, killifish and several barbs the male carries the colour — deeper and more saturated, intensifying further when he displays.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Nano fish Fish for a 54 litre tank Fish for hard water Bottom dwellers

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Bumblebee Goby need?: A Bumblebee Goby needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres (10.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Bumblebee Goby need?: Bumblebee Goby does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–20 °dGH.
What group size does a Bumblebee Goby need?: Bumblebee Goby is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Bumblebee Goby suitable for beginners?: Bumblebee Goby is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature22–29°C

Optimal temp.24–27°C

pH7–8.5

Hardness (GH)8–20°d

Carbonate (KH)4–12°d

Adult size4 cm

Min. volume≥ 40 L

Min. tank length≥ 45 cm

Group size≥ 6

Swimming zoneBottom

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeBrackish-tolerant

FlowLow

Lifespan~3 yrs

Try in the calculator