This strikingly beautiful dwarf goby, which is endemic to Lake Matano on Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), was only scientifically described in 1992, although this lake has long been known as the focus of independent evolution and has been the subject of much research. The earliest findings probably date back to 1989, when Arthur Werner and Maurice Kottelat collected the animals that later became type specimens of the species. Even before its scientific description, the species, which is a maximum of around 4 cm long, was occasionally traded. Unfortunately, breeding in the aquarium has not yet been successful (at least as far as we know), although the animals spawn regularly and willingly. The larvae are very tiny and we have not yet been able to find a suitable food for rearing them.
Keeping the small gobies is relatively easy, but it should be noted that the water in Lake Matano is alkaline, so pH values below 8 should be avoided. In terms of other requirements, these beautiful fish present the keeper with hardly any difficulties worth mentioning. In the lake, the gobies like to hide in the empty shells of the snail Tylomelania gemmifera. However, unlike the snail cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, they are not obligatory cave breeders, but will also lay their eggs on open surfaces (e.g. plant leaves). Nevertheless, a few narrow caves should be provided in the aquarium as hiding places. Males and females can be easily distinguished. The males have a thread-like first dorsal fin and the second dorsal fin has a broad yellowish edge with a black border at the upper edge. In females, this region of the fin is colorless.
Unfortunately, this beauty must be considered endangered due to environmental degradation and the invasive flowerhorn cichlids, which are causing great harm to the fauna and flora of Lake Matano. It is therefore desirable that as many serious aquarists as possible take a closer look at the species and hopefully soon solve the mystery of rearing the larvae in the aquarium.
For our customers: the animals have code 436782 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
