Common name: Orange-spotted goby

Scientific name: Asterropteryx bipunctata Allen & Munday, 1995
Orange-spotted sleeper goby Valenciennea puellarisBlenny fish hang on bamboo.
Orange-spotted sleeper goby Valenciennea puellarisOrange-spotted sleeper goby Valenciennea puellaris

General information

The Twospot Goby, scientifically known as Asterropteryx bipunctata, is a small and attractive fish that can be a delightful addition to any reef or fish-only aquarium. This species is known for its peaceful demeanor and its distinctive coloration, featuring a pale body with two dark spots, one on the first dorsal fin and the other near the caudal peduncle.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
40 liter (11 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
6 cm (2½″)
Care level
Easy
Diet
Omnivore
Social
Pair
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Goby
    Gobiidae
  6. Genus
    Goby
    Asterropteryx
  7. Species
    Orange-spotted goby
    Asterropteryx bipunctata Allen & Munday, 1995

Care

Twospot Gobies are relatively easy to care for, but they do require a tank with a sandy substrate to mimic their natural habitat where they sift through sand for food. They are not aggressive and can be kept with a variety of other peaceful fish and invertebrates. A diet of small, meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Asterropteryx bipunctata may breed if a pair is established. The male typically guards the eggs, which are deposited in a sheltered location such as a crevice or under a rock.

Habitat

Twospot Gobies are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, and from the Ryukyu Islands to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. They inhabit shallow, coral-rich areas and lagoons, often seen hovering above the substrate or resting on corals.