Rainford's Goby (Asia Pacific)

The Rainford's goby is a well-loved fish that has been given many names including the Court Jester goby and Old Glory. Its yellow face fades into a steel-grey body, and bright orangey-red stripes run from its nose to its tail. Several attractive eyespots are located along its dorsal and caudal fins, and white blotches are sprinkled along its back. Under the right light the edges of its fins may shimmer blue. Males and females are visually identical. It grows up to 2.5 inches; we recommend an aquarium at least 20 gallons.

Hover gobies are extremely peaceful and do best with other mild-mannered fish. They spend most of their day floating about an inch above the aquarium's substrate, which should be a fine grain sand. They occasionally pick up the sand in their mouth and sift it, helping to keep it clean and eating tiny organisms found within.

They are not as prone to jumping as most other gobies; however we still recommend the tank be securely covered. It is normal for them to be shy when initially introduced, however once settled in they prefer to spend time in the open. They often fight with other hover gobies, however are typically peaceful with all other fish.

Hover gobies are omnivorous and their diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp. It is preferable to feed at least twice a day and to let some food land on the bottom of the aquarium if the goby has not yet earned to eat from the water column. Frozen food is best, however in time they may learn to eat dry foods. Some live algae should be growing in the aquarium to allow the goby to graze naturally throughout the day.

As one of the largest families of fish there are near countless varieties of gobies which inhabit every different niche on the reef. They are coral safe and typically quite active and friendly with other fish. They have the ability to change sex to form pairs, although they don't always do so. Most gobies are imported from the Philippines.

Gobies are diminutive fish typically with elongated bodies, and as such we do not recommend any aggressive or large-mouthed fish to be kept with them; this includes all groupers, snappers, sweetlips, soapfish, lionfish, eels, goatfish, anglers/frogfish, leaf fish, etc.