Common name: Signal goby

Care

Twinspot Gobies are relatively easy to care for but do have some specific requirements. They are sand sifters and require a tank with a fine sand substrate to exhibit their natural behavior of sifting through the sand for food. This not only provides them with nutrition but also helps to keep the sand bed clean. They are peaceful fish that should be kept in a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions. Twinspot Gobies are known to jump, so a tank with a tight-fitting lid is recommended to prevent escape.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Twinspot Gobies may form monogamous pairs and spawn. The male typically guards the eggs, which are laid in a burrow or on a flat surface. Successful breeding in captivity is not common, but with the right conditions and a mature pair, it is possible.

Symbiosis

While not involved in the classic symbiotic relationships seen in some marine species, Twinspot Gobies do engage in a mutualistic relationship with the sand bed of a reef tank. By sifting through the sand, they help to aerate and clean it, which benefits other tank inhabitants by reducing detritus and promoting a healthy microfauna.

Habitat

Signigobius biocellatus is found in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to Australia. They inhabit shallow lagoons and reef flats, often seen hovering above the sand or nestled within coral rubble. In the wild, they are typically found at depths of up to 30 meters.