Reeflings

Common name: Redface dwarfgoby

Scientific name: Trimma benjamini Winterbottom, 1996
Ringeye dwarfgoby, Trimma benjamini, on the colonial tunicates, Raja Ampat Indonesia.Ring-Eyed Pygmygoby Trimma benjamini
Coral fish Blueband gobyA tiny Ringeye dwarf goby, Trimma benjamini, rests on a coral colony on a healthy reef in the Philippines. This area is within the Coral Triangle and harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity.

General information

Trimma benjamini, commonly known as Benjamin's Pygmy Goby, is a small and colorful fish that is a favorite among nano-reef enthusiasts. This species is known for its vibrant coloration, typically displaying a combination of red, orange, and yellow hues with iridescent blue lines running along its body. Despite its small size, it has a big personality and is an active swimmer.

Details

Recommended minimum volume
40 liter (11 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
2.5 cm (1″)
Care level
Easy
Diet
Carnivore
Social
Harem
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No
Conservation status
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
    Pygmy Gobies
    Trimma
  7. Species
    Redface dwarfgoby
    Trimma benjamini Winterbottom, 1996

Care

Benjamin's Pygmy Goby is well-suited for small to medium-sized aquariums due to its diminutive size. They thrive in well-established tanks with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. This species is peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive tank mates. They are not picky eaters and will accept a variety of foods, but a diet rich in small live or frozen foods like copepods and brine shrimp will help maintain their coloration and health.

Reproduction

In the wild, Trimma benjamini are known to spawn within caves or crevices, laying their eggs on the ceiling. In captivity, they may breed if the environment is stable and there are adequate hiding places. The male typically guards the eggs until they hatch.

Habitat

Trimma benjamini is found in the Western Pacific, from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and Micronesia. They prefer reef slopes and lagoons, often seen at depths ranging from 5 to 40 meters. In the aquarium, replicating their natural environment with a variety of live rock formations and moderate water flow will help these gobies feel at home.