Tiger Stiphodon Goby
Stiphodon sp. 'Tiger'
Gobiidae
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About
'Tiger' is a pattern name a shop put on a fish, not a species. It sells under Stiphodon sp. - Pet Zone in San Diego lists it exactly that way, as 'Tiger Stiphodon Goby - Stiphodon Sp.' with a max size 'around 1.5 - 2"' - and no described Stiphodon carries 'Tiger' as an epithet, so this entry does not invent a binomial for it. Mislabelling is normal in this genus rather than exceptional: Seriously Fish records that 'other species are sometimes sold as S. semoni meaning identification has not always been easy and there exist many mis-labelled images both in printed literature and online'. One thing worth knowing before you assume you have bought a distinct fish: in most Stiphodon the sexes look like different animals, the males carrying the blue, green or gold that the trade names them for while females stay pale with a dark lateral stripe - Seriously Fish describes female S. atropurpureus as 'much lighter in base body colouration' with 'a dark, zig-zag like lateral stripe'. A tank of striped fish under an invented name may be several things; we could not establish what a given 'Tiger' is, and neither can the shop. What the genus does tell you is enough to keep it alive. These are amphidromous sicydiine gobies from short, steep, fast island streams, with the pelvic fins fused into a suction disc that lets them hold station in white water and climb wet rock. They eat aufwuchs - the film of algae, diatoms and micro-organisms on stones - and almost nothing else, which is the single fact that decides whether yours lives. And they cannot be bred in fresh water. Seriously Fish is unambiguous: 'to date no-one has managed to raise fry of any Stiphodon spp. in captivity', because the larvae hatch undeveloped, are washed downstream and 'spend the first part of their life developing in marine conditions' for a pelagic phase of 78 to 146 days before climbing back upriver. Every one of these fish in every shop is wild-caught, and of the one Stiphodon this entry takes its numbers from, S. atropurpureus, FishBase says it 'is considered to be of conservation concern in subtropical Asia', partly because of collection for the aquarium trade. That is a statement about that species, not about every fish in the genus.
Care
Never put this fish in a new tank. Seriously Fish's rule is flat: 'since they need stable water conditions and feed on biofilm these fishes should never be added to immature set-ups'. It needs a mature, brightly lit, hard-scaped tank whose stones are already furred with green algae and diatoms, and it will starve in a spotless one no matter how much food you drop in. Strong light is a feature here, not a problem. Give it fast, clean, oxygen-rich water: high turnover, a powerhead if needed, and 24-26 C, warmer only with extra surface agitation. Sand or gravel with plenty of water-worn rocks and pebbles, pH 6.5-7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. Seriously Fish sets the base at 60 x 30 cm for a pair or small group and recommends a single male with two or more females: males are loosely territorial and several can share a tank if there is space and food. A tight cover is required, because they climb glass. Do not stock it with other algae eaters that will strip the rocks faster than the goby can graze them, and do not buy a hollow-bellied specimen out of pity unless you have a competitor-free tank to nurse it in. Breeding is not on the table: courtship and spawning happen, the fry do not survive fresh water.
Diet
Specialised aufwuchs grazer: benthic algae, diatoms and the micro-organisms living with them, rasped off rock. Sinking dried food and frozen bloodworm only occasionally - the gut is built for vegetable matter. If the tank cannot grow enough, keep a second lit container of rocks and rotate them in.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (100)
Possible with care (260)
Avoid (58)
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.
Also in these lists
Similar species
Same category and the closest water parameters — if this species isn't quite it, start here.
Sold in Lithuania
These Lithuanian shops listed this species in their public catalogue (checked August 8, 2026). Stock moves — ask before you travel.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Tiger Stiphodon Goby need?
- A Tiger Stiphodon Goby needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres (15.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Tiger Stiphodon Goby need?
- Tiger Stiphodon Goby does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 °dGH.
- What group size does a Tiger Stiphodon Goby need?
- Tiger Stiphodon Goby is a social species — keep a group of at least 3 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Tiger Stiphodon Goby suitable for beginners?
- Tiger Stiphodon Goby is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.