Lipstick Goby Sicyopus Jongkas 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Lipstick Goby, Sicyopus jonklaasi, is a tiny stream goby whose males wear vivid red on the snout and rear body, contrasting with a bluish-grey front half. It clings to rocks with a fused pelvic sucker and darts between them in fast current, hunting minute prey. Endemic to Sri Lanka's hill streams, it suits specialist keepers with a cool, highly oxygenated hillstream tank.
- Adult Size: Around 4–5 cm (1.5–2 in)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
Origin
- Native to: Sri Lanka: Kalu, Kelani and Nilwala river basins
- Habitat: Rocky, fast-flowing mid-hill streams, 50–150 cm deep
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous; micro-predator
- Preferred Foods: Brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm, mosquito larvae, micro-pellets
- Feeding Habits: Small amounts once or twice daily; live foods best
Tank Mates
- Best with: Stiphodon gobies, hillstream loaches, small danios, Rhinogobius
- Avoid: Large, boisterous or fast-feeding fish, slow-water species
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful with other species
- Territoriality: Males defend small territories; keep one male with females
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Needs strong flow, high oxygen and live foods
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, neutral to slightly hard, well oxygenated
- Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)
- pH: 7.0–7.8
- Hardness: 5–12 dGH
- Flow: Strong; high turnover with aeration
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a small group; long, shallow tank with rocks
Final Notes
This species is wild caught and listed as Endangered, and its larvae develop at sea, so it cannot be bred in aquaria; buy only what you can house properly. Build a mature hillstream setup with smooth rocks, a powerhead and a tight lid, since these gobies climb glass and escape. Males are the colourful sex; females are plainer and duller. Well kept, it is one of the most striking small stream fish available.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.