For those who enjoy unusual and vibrant aquarium fish, the Bee Goby, also known as the Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius doriae), is an excellent option. This diminutive yet eye-catching fish is distinguished by its vivid black and yellow striped pattern, which resembles a bumblebee. Due to its striking appearance, it is a common addition to many home aquariums, giving any tank a little more personality as well as visual appeal.
The Bee Goby is a resilient fish that can easily adapt to a variety of aquarium settings. It is native to the brackish waters of Southeast Asia, especially the coastal regions of Malaysia and Indonesia. Its lively behavior and intriguing interactions give it a big presence in the aquarium despite its small size (it usually grows to just 1.5 to 2 inches in length).
It’s important to take certain precautions when keeping a bee goby in your aquarium. To keep them happy and healthy, you’ll need to maintain a specific salinity level because they thrive in brackish water. They also like a tank that is densely planted and has lots of hiding places so they can act naturally and feel safe. They work well in community tanks because of their peaceful disposition, but they prefer to be kept with other small, non-aggressive species.
In conclusion, the Bee Goby is a colorful and eye-catching fish that can add a lot of personality to your aquarium. These little guys can be a delightful addition to your aquatic setup, adding both beauty and interest with the correct care and conditions.
The Bee Goby, also known as the Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius doriae), is a fascinating and colorful addition to home aquariums because of its eye-catching pattern of black and yellow stripes that mimics the stripes of a bumblebee. This hardy little fish does well in freshwater tanks, especially with stable water conditions and a well-planted habitat. The diminutive size and distinctive appearance of the Bee Goby, which is well-liked by aquarium enthusiasts, make it a great option for community tanks. Its calm temperament and comparatively low maintenance requirements further enhance its appeal as an eye-catching and captivating aquatic pet.
Habitat
Southeast Asian coastal region includes the Bunguran Archipelago, which is located west of Borneo’s coast but is a part of Indonesia’s island of Riau, and the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which is endemic to the western portions of the island.
Singapore’s records seem to be inaccurate.
Habitat:
It is usually found only in lowland and coastal regions, such as mangrove swamps and estuaries, and it can survive in both fresh and brackish water. Thus, loam, sand, and silt typically make up the bottom in these areas, along with surface organic matter like leaf litter, mangrove roots, and submerged driftwood.
Certain populations inhabit ancient peat bogs characterized by water the color of tea, extremely low acidity, low conductivity, and mild hardness.
Description
The bumblebee goby’s body form, which resembles an extended drop that has been flattened on the sides, is typical of its kind. The size of the head is larger than the body. The fish clings to surfaces using its fused ventral fins, which function as a sort of suction cup. Soft rays on the front and rear of the two dorsal fins.
The fish’s name comes from their strikingly bright and contrasting coloring of alternating velvety-black and golden-yellow stripes, which gives them an uncanny resemblance to bees or bumblebees when kept in ideal conditions. Some people’s backs have an indistinct dark patch.
Before spawning, females have a notably rounder abdominal line and are larger and fuller. Males are more graceful and colorful; instead of yellow stripes, they may be orange or reddish-pink.
It can reach a maximum size of 25 to 35 mm in an aquarium, while in its native habitat it can reach up to 4.2 cm.
Aquarium
An aquarium the basic size of 45 * 30 cm or smaller is considered minimal for a couple of fish. 40 liters or more is the minimum volume, but because bee gobys are territorial, it’s important to maintain a group of at least 6 fish to prevent conflicts. This lowers the aggression level and makes the fish bolder and more natural in their behavior.
In a regular aquarium, it gets lost, but in a species aquarium, it comes to life.
It is preferable to select a container with a large bottom area that is not overly deep. To prevent weaker fish from being negatively impacted by the dominant male’s activity, it is imperative to have a large number of shelters made of densely planted plants. For these uses, clay pots, artificial grottoes, and driftwood are also appropriate.
To serve as a buffer, you can add marble gravel or coral sand to the sandy soil. You can also add sea salt to the water at a rate of roughly 2 grams per liter. Although this measure is beneficial in terms of disease prevention, it is not required.
Brachygobius doriae, also known as the Bee/Bumblebee Goby, gets along well with calm fish found in tropical waters. However, it is intolerant of other bottom species as well as fish that are extremely active or aggressive. The Dwarf Dermogenis / Half-snout Fighting (Dermogenys pusillus), which also favors brackish water, would make the ideal neighbor.
It is better kept in a species-specific aquarium and is not suitable for a community aquarium.
Water parameters:
Endure temperature swings between 18 and 35 °C, although 22 to 28 °C, pH 7 to 8.5, kH 8 to 20, and gH 10 to 30 are ideal temperatures to maintain.
Diffuse lighting, mild filtration, and weekly water changes of one-fifth.
Feeding
Prefers live and frozen foods, such as bloodworms, cyclops, brine shrimp, tubifex, and tiny daphnia. gathers food from the bottom. Usually, dry food is rejected.
It is preferable to feed frequently but gradually.
Breeding
The Bull Bee/Bumblebee breeding process is fascinating to both novice and seasoned aquarists.
This species uses small flower pots, ceramic pipes, shells, and other similar objects as shelters when it spawns.
Both a species aquarium and a separate spawning tank can be used for spawning.
It is preferable to let fish choose their own mates if they are in a group. They require frequent and varied feeding during the pre-spawning phase, which is aided by changing a portion of the water, increasing the temperature by a few degrees, and improving aeration.
The male first selects a cave or other hiding place for himself, cautiously pushing rivals away while attempting to entice the female inside.
If his efforts are successful, she will spawn 100–200 pale, 1 mm-diameter teardrop-shaped eggs before leaving right away because the female will not show any interest in her young. In contrast, the male becomes a "caring daddy" after the eggs are fertilized and looks after them for three to five days until the larvae emerge. However, at that point, he too becomes dangerous or, more accurately, superfluous because he has completed his task and is eliminated.
There is a 7-9 day incubation period. After a few days, fry start swimming freely.
Starter food: rotifers and infusoria, or live dust. Mass infant mortality can result from even brief starvation. Adult fry can tolerate brine shrimp nauplii and crushed tubifex.
Fresh grow extremely slowly; only after a month of healthy nourishment do they reach a centimeter in length. The fish start to exhibit adult-like behavior and coloring at two months of age.
By eight to twelve months reaches sexual maturity.
Goby Bees/Bumblebees (Brachygobius doriae) can live for four to five years in an aquarium.
| Common Name: | Bee Goby or Bumblebee Goby |
| Scientific Name: | Brachygobius doriae |
| Size: | Up to 2 inches (5 cm) |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia |
| Water Conditions: | Freshwater; temperature 72-78°F (22-26°C); pH 6.5-7.5 |
| Diet: | Omnivorous; small live or frozen foods, flake food |
| Tank Setup: | Planted tanks with hiding spots; peaceful community |
| Behavior: | Social; often seen in groups |
| Breeding: | Egg scatterers; need a separate breeding tank |
| Compatibility: | Best with small, peaceful fish |
In any aquarium, the Bee Goby, also known as the Bumblebee Goby, is an intriguing addition. It is a unique species among small fish because of its vivid colors and fascinating behavior. These little guys have distinct needs and preferences that can make taking care of them a fulfilling experience; they are more than just cute faces.
The versatility of the Bee Goby is one of its best features. They do well in a range of environments, from heavily planted tanks to ones with sparser décor. But it’s essential to keep the water’s conditions optimal. To keep them happy and healthy, regular monitoring and adjustments are essential. They prefer slightly brackish water.
Group housing improves the behavior and general well-being of bee gobies. When they are kept with other animals of their own kind, their playful and energetic nature is even more evident. They are an excellent option for both novice and experienced hobbyists because of their compact size, which also allows them to blend in nicely with many aquarium setups.
For a small fish, the Bee Goby has a lot of charm and personality overall. They can be a fun addition to your aquarium, adding both visual appeal and interesting behavior, given the right conditions and care. Take pleasure in seeing these tiny swimmers give your aquatic environment a little personality!
