Annie's Dwarf Goby (Stiphodon annieae)

Annie's Dwarf Goby (Stiphodon annieae) is a fascinating and colorful species of freshwater goby from Southeast Asia, typically found in fast-flowing streams and rivers. These fish are known for their peaceful nature and interesting behaviors, making them a rewarding choice for aquarists. Here's how to keep them successfully:

1. Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for a group, as these gobies prefer living in small colonies.
• Substrate: Sandy or fine gravel substrate is ideal since they like to sift through the substrate while foraging.
• Decor: Provide plenty of smooth rocks, driftwood, and hiding spots. Rocks with biofilm and algae growth are beneficial.
• Water Flow: Mimic their natural habitat by ensuring a strong water flow using powerheads or high-quality filters.
• Lighting: Moderate to high lighting encourages algae and biofilm growth, which forms a part of their diet.

2. Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (4–12 dGH)
• Water Quality: Maintain pristine water conditions with regular water changes (20–30% weekly). They are sensitive to poor water quality and require well-oxygenated water.

3. Diet

• Natural Diet: They are primarily algal grazers and will consume biofilm, algae, and small microorganisms.
• Supplementary Foods: Offer high-quality algae wafers, spirulina-based foods, and finely crushed vegetable flakes. They may also take live or frozen foods like daphnia, cyclops, and brine shrimp, though these should be occasional.

4. Behavior and Tank Mates

• Social Nature: Annie's Dwarf Goby is peaceful and prefers to live in groups of 4–6 or more. Keep a mix of males and females if possible.
• Compatible Tank Mates: Small, peaceful fish that share similar water parameters, such as:
  • Small rasboras
  • White cloud mountain minnows
  • Corydoras
  • Other goby species with similar care needs
• Avoid: Aggressive or large fish, which may outcompete or harm them.

5. Breeding

Breeding Annie's Dwarf Goby in captivity is challenging but possible:

• Spawning: They may spawn in tanks, depositing eggs on flat surfaces like rocks.
• Larval Development: The fry are tiny and require brackish water for their early life stages, as in the wild, larvae are swept into estuaries.
• Feeding Fry: Feed fry with microplankton or powdered spirulina.

6. Special Considerations

• Regular observation is key, as these gobies are sensitive to stress and water changes.
• Introduce them to a well-established tank with algae and biofilm available.

With the right environment and care, Stiphodon annieae will thrive and display their natural behaviors, making them a delightful addition to your aquarium.