More info
Common Name: Hector’s Goby, Hector’s Shrimp Goby
Scientific Name: Koumansetta hectori
Order: Gobiiformes — Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Distribution: Indo-Pacific — Widespread from the Maldives and Sri Lanka across Indonesia and the Philippines to Samoa. Found in shallow reefs and lagoons.
Lifespan: Around 5 years
Maximum Adult Size: 8 – 10 cm
pH: 8.1 to 8.4 — Hardness: 8 to 12 dKH
Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
Minimum Aquarium Size: 80 litres
Reef Safe (Compatibility): Yes — Generally considered reef safe, though may pick at filamentous algae and sift sand.
Behaviour & Compatibility:
A peaceful goby species, ideal for community reef aquariums. Hector’s Goby is shy and best kept in pairs or small groups if the tank is large enough. It spends much of its time sifting sand for food and grazing on microalgae. It should not be housed with aggressive tankmates that may outcompete it for food.
Diet:
Omnivore. In the wild, it feeds on benthic invertebrates, algae, and detritus. In aquaria, it requires a diet of finely chopped frozen foods (such as mysis and brine shrimp), supplemented with high-quality algae-based foods, spirulina, and sinking pellets. Its sand-sifting behaviour contributes to natural feeding.
Reproduction:
Oviparous. Breeding in captivity is rarely documented. In the wild, pairs form and deposit eggs in burrows or protected areas. The male guards the eggs until hatching.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Not strongly marked. Males may be slightly larger and exhibit more intense colouration during spawning.
Natural Habitat & Biotope:
Inhabits sandy reef bottoms, rubble zones, and lagoons, typically in shallow waters up to 20 metres deep. Often seen hovering close to the substrate while grazing.
Etymology:
The genus name Koumansetta honours Dutch ichthyologist Frederik Petrus Koumans. The species name hectori is a dedication to ichthyologist Gordon Hector.
Foto ilustrativa. | Illustrative photo.
Ficha Técnica
- Nome da Espécie: Koumansetta rainfordi
- Ordem: Gobiidae
- Autor: Whitley, 1940
- Intervalo de pH: 8.1-8.4
- Intervalo de Temperatura: 22ºC-26ªC
- Intervalo de salinidade: 1.018-1.026
- Tamanho adulto: 7cm-9cm(cm)
- Aquário recomendado: 50L
- Seguro manter em Reef: Sim
- Temperamento: Pácifico
- Origem: Pacífico Ocidental: do oeste e leste da Austrália a Tonga; ao norte, para Taiwan e Filipinas; em toda a Indonésia, Papua Nova Guiné, Ilhas Marshall, Solomons e Fiji.
- Dieta: Omnivoro