Brachygobius Xanthomelas

Datasheet

General Description

Brachygobius xanthomelas, commonly known as the Bumblebee Goby, is a petite fish belonging to the Gobiidae family. With a max size of 2.0cm, these fish are occasionally available in the aquarium trade and are often misidentified due to a resemblance to other members of the genus.

Aquarium Setup

For optimal care, a tank size of at least 40 litres is recommended. The setup should include plenty of hiding spots and cover to create broken lines of sight, allowing weaker individuals to escape dominant fish. The substrate can be mixed with crushed coral or coral sand to act as a buffer, and marine salt can be added at a dose of around 2 grams per litre if needed. Use gentle filtration, preferably an air-powered sponge-type unit.

Behaviour

Bumblebee Gobies do not thrive in community tanks and are best kept in a species-specific setup. Though males can be territorial, having a group of 6 or more individuals can help spread aggression and encourage bolder and more natural behavior among the fish.

Feeding and Diet

These gobies primarily feed on small live foods like Artemia and Daphnia, with frozen alternatives accepted by some individuals. Dried food products are usually disregarded, making live foods essential for their diet.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Sexually mature female Bumblebee Gobies tend to appear rounder-bodied than males, especially when they are gravid. Their mating and reproductive behaviors in aquarium settings are relatively understudied.

Habitat and Distribution

Native to freshwater environments in locations such as Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, and Bangka Island, Indonesia, B. xanthomelas prefers lowland habitats like freshwater swamps, streams, and forest peat swamps. They thrive in tannin-stained water with minimal conductivity, high vegetation density, and muddy peat substrates. Unlike some related species, the Bumblebee Goby is not typically found in brackish or tidal waters.