Rainbow Goby (Stiphodon ornatus)

The Rainbow Goby (Stiphodon ornatus), also called the Rainbow Stiphodon Goby or Rainbow Goby Fish, is a small and colorful fish that's perfect for any freshwater aquarium. Males are known for their bright colors, showing off shades of blue, orange, and red. They are peaceful fish that get along well with shrimp and other calm fish, making them a great choice for community tanks.

Rainbow Gobies are known for eating algae, which helps keep the tank clean. They do best in tanks with moving water and a sandy or rocky bottom, similar to the streams they come from. They only grow to about 2-3 inches, so they can live in smaller tanks as long as the water is clean and well-filtered.

Please Note: All fish shipments have a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee when shipping with Overnight (1 Day) option. All other options void our Live Arrival Guarantee for fish. 

What size tank do Rainbow Gobies need?

Rainbow Gobies are small fish, growing to about 2-3 inches, so they can live in tanks as small as 10 gallons. However, they thrive best in tanks with at least 20 gallons of water, especially when kept in groups or with other species​.

What should I feed my Rainbow Goby?

Rainbow Gobies are primarily algae eaters. They love grazing on biofilm and algae in the tank, but you should also provide them with supplemental food like algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and occasionally high-quality sinking pellets​. We supplement their diet with a mix of fresh vegetables and Northfin Veggie, Community, Bug Pro, and Northfin Kelp Wafers to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet. We also feed our Gobys prepared algae wafers and let them graze on natural algae and bio-film. This can be supplemented by using Bacter AE.

Can Rainbow Gobies live with shrimp and other fish?

Yes! Rainbow Gobies are peaceful fish and are shrimp-safe, meaning they can coexist with adult shrimp without harming them. They also do well in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish​.

What water conditions do Rainbow Gobies need?

Rainbow Gobies need clean, well-filtered water with stable conditions. They prefer slightly alkaline water with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and a temperature range of 72-82°F. Since they come from fast-flowing streams, they also do well in tanks with moderate water flow​.

Do Rainbow Gobies need a specific type of substrate?

Yes, they prefer tanks with smooth sand or small pebbles that mimic their natural riverbed habitat. This type of substrate allows them to graze on algae and biofilm, their primary food source​.

How many Rainbow Gobies should I keep together?

You can keep a single Rainbow Goby, but they are more active and social in groups. It's recommended to keep at least 3-4 together if space allows. Males can be territorial, so providing enough space and hiding spots is essential​.

Do Rainbow Gobies breed in home aquariums?

Breeding Rainbow Gobies in home aquariums is rare. In the wild, they lay eggs in streams, and their larvae are swept into the ocean before returning to freshwater as juveniles. Replicating this process in a tank environment is quite challenging​.

Our Tank Parameters for Rainbow Gobies

To ensure your Rainbow Goby (Stiphodon ornatus) thrives, we maintain specific water parameters that mimic their natural environment. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal conditions we use in our tanks:

• pH: 7.0 to 8.0 – Rainbow Gobies prefer slightly alkaline water, which supports their health and well-being.
• GH (General Hardness): 4 to 10 – This range offers the right balance of minerals like calcium and magnesium, keeping their bones and overall health in check.
• KH (Carbonate Hardness): 2 to 6 – Adequate KH helps stabilize the pH levels, preventing drastic fluctuations that could stress the fish.
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 100 to 150 – A lower TDS keeps the water clean and close to the conditions these fish experience in nature.
• Temperature: 70 to 74°F – Maintaining this cool, moderate temperature range helps the Rainbow Goby remain comfortable and active.

By keeping your tank within these parameters, you can create an ideal habitat that allows Rainbow Gobies to thrive.