Common name: Blue-striped cave goby
General information
The Tevegae Goby, scientifically known as Trimma tevegae, is a small and colorful species of goby that is popular among nano reef aquarium enthusiasts. This species is known for its vibrant coloration, typically displaying a bright yellow-orange body with blue to purple vertical stripes. The Tevegae Goby is a peaceful fish that can add a splash of color and activity to a reef tank.
Details
- Recommended minimum 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 to 8.4
- Average size
- 2.5 cm (1″)
- Care level
- Easy
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Social
- Harem
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGobyGobiidae
- GenusPygmy GobiesTrimma
- SpeciesBlue-striped cave gobyTrimma tevegae Cohen & Davis, 1969
- SynonymsTrimma caudomaculata Yoshino & Araga, 1975
Care
Trimma tevegae is a hardy species that can thrive in a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions. They prefer tanks with plenty of live rock and crevices for hiding and hunting for small invertebrates. Due to their small size, they are best kept in nano or small-sized aquariums. They are not aggressive towards other tank mates and can be kept with other peaceful fish and invertebrates.
A varied diet of small, meaty foods such as copepods, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood is essential for their health. It's important to ensure that food particles are small enough for them to ingest.
Reproduction
In the wild, Trimma tevegae are known to spawn in small caves or crevices, laying eggs that are guarded by the male until they hatch. In the aquarium, breeding is possible but challenging due to the need for precise water conditions and the difficulty in raising the tiny larvae.
Habitat
The Tevegae Goby is native to the Western Pacific, where it is typically found in coral reef environments at depths ranging from 5 to 40 meters. They are often observed in sheltered lagoons and steep outer reef slopes, where they inhabit small crevices in the reef structure.