Rainbow Goby Stiphodon Ornatus 3cm

Overview

The Rainbow Goby is a small algae-grazing stream goby whose males flash orange and red fins and shifting body patterns from olive to near black according to mood. It comes from fast, clear coastal streams in Sumatra, Indonesia. It suits keepers with a mature, well-oxygenated hillstream style tank rather than a standard community setup.

• Adult Size: Around 7 cm (2.8 in); females slightly smaller and plainer
• Lifespan: 2–3 years, short lived by nature

Origin

• Native to: Aceh and West Sumatra, Indonesia
• Habitat: Fast, clear, rocky coastal streams above waterfalls

Feeding

• Diet: Herbivorous biofilm grazer, takes some meaty foods
• Preferred Foods: Biofilm, green algae, algae wafers, sinking pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops
• Feeding Habits: Grazes constantly; needs algae-covered rocks plus small daily feeds

Tank Mates

• Best with: Small danios, hillstream loaches, other Stiphodon, small rasboras
• Avoid: Aggressive bottom dwellers, large or boisterous fish, slow feeders, plecos

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Peaceful
• Territoriality: Males loosely territorial; tolerate each other given space

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
• Challenges: Needs mature biofilm, strong oxygenation, stable water and a lid

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, clean and highly oxygenated
• Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 2–12 dGH
• Flow: Strong, 4–5 turnovers per hour
• Tank Size: Minimum 80 litres; 80 cm base for a small group

Final Notes

Only add this goby to an established tank with plenty of algae-covered rock; it will starve in a sterile new setup. Wild-caught and not bred in captivity, as larvae need marine development, so buy from a healthy batch. It climbs glass, so a tight lid is essential. Males colour up and pattern-shift dramatically when settled, making a group in a rocky hillstream tank a genuinely rewarding display.