Common name: Forktail pygmygoby

General information

The Hoese's Pygmy Goby, scientifically known as Trimma hoesei, is a diminutive and colorful species of goby that is a charming addition to nano and small reef aquariums. Its vibrant coloration, typically a combination of red, orange, and yellow hues with blue to purple accents, makes it a visually appealing species. This goby is named after ichthyologist Douglass F. Hoese.

Care

Trimma hoesei is a peaceful and shy fish that thrives in well-established aquariums with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. Due to their small size, they are best kept in tanks without large or aggressive fish that may see them as prey. They are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods including small-sized pellets, frozen foods, and live foods like copepods.

Reproduction

Like many gobies, Trimma hoesei is known to spawn in captivity. They are cave spawners, laying their eggs in a secure location where the male will guard and tend to them until they hatch. Breeding them in a home aquarium requires a mature system with stable conditions and an absence of potential predators.

Habitat

Trimma hoesei is found in the Western Pacific, particularly around the Philippines and Indonesia. They inhabit coral reefs and rubble slopes, typically at depths ranging from 5 to 40 meters. In the wild, they are often observed hovering near the substrate or within the shelter of coral branches.