About the Caledonian Red Nose Goby
name: caledonian red nose goby (lentipes kaeea)
max size: up to 2 inches
water parameters: pH 6.5-7.5, temperature 72-80°F, soft to moderately hard water; requires clean, highly oxygenated freshwater
diet: carnivorous – primarily feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, and tiny crustaceans; offer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and other small meaty foods; may eventually accept high quality sinking micro pellets
temperament: generally peaceful toward other fish, although males may become territorial toward other gobies, particularly when competing for preferred resting areas
tank setup: mature, stream-style aquarium with smooth rocks, rounded gravel, strong water circulation, and excellent filtration; provide plenty of rocky hiding places, crevices, and well-oxygenated water; a tightly fitting lid is essential to prevent escapes
compatibility: suitable with peaceful fish that appreciate flowing water, such as small danios, rasboras, and other non-aggressive stream-dwelling species; avoid large predators, aggressive bottom dwellers, and slow-moving fish that prefer calm water
behavior: spends much of its time perched on rocks, exploring crevices, and searching for tiny prey; uses its fused pelvic fins as a suction disc to grip surfaces in strong currents; males may develop more intense coloration during courtship and territorial displays
fun fact: caledonian red nose gobies are native to New Caledonia, where they inhabit clear, fast-flowing tropical streams. Like other Lentipes species, they have an amphidromous life cycle, meaning their larvae drift downstream into the ocean before returning to freshwater as juveniles. This unusual reproductive strategy makes them extremely challenging to breed in home aquariums.
