Common name: Rainford's goby

Scientific name: Koumansetta rainfordi Whitley, 1940
Court Jester Goby
(Koumansetta rainfordi)Court Jester Goby - Koumansetta rainfordi
Court Jester Goby
(Koumansetta rainfordi)Rainford goby

General information

Rainford's Goby, scientifically known as Koumansetta rainfordi, is a small and colorful marine fish that is popular among reef aquarium enthusiasts. This species is known for its vibrant green body with orange to red stripes, which can add a splash of color to any aquarium. They are relatively peaceful and can be a good addition to a community tank.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
9 cm (3½″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs live sand for burrowing
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet incl. algae, meaty foods
Social
Pair Can be kept in pairs or singly
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
Yes Available as captive-bred
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

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
    Rainford's Goby
    Koumansetta
  7. Species
    Rainford's goby
    Koumansetta rainfordi Whitley, 1940
  8. Synonyms
    Amblygobius rainfordi (Whitley, 1940)

Care

Rainford's Goby is a hardy species that requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing on microalgae and hiding. They are known to be sand sifters, helping to keep the substrate clean. A varied diet that includes both meaty foods and algae-based preparations will help maintain their health and coloration. It's important to ensure that they are getting enough to eat, as they can be outcompeted for food by more aggressive feeders.

Reproduction

In the home aquarium, breeding Rainford's Goby can be a challenge. They are not commonly bred in captivity, and little is known about their breeding habits in the wild. However, they are thought to form monogamous pairs and spawn within the safety of their rocky hideouts.

Habitat

Rainford's Goby is native to the Western Pacific, where it inhabits coral reefs and lagoons. They are often found in shallow waters, where they live among the coral rubble and sand. In the aquarium, they appreciate a similar environment with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate.

Geographical distribution includes the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and reefs around Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.