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Freshwater fishRed Lipstick Goby
Red Lipstick Goby
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The freshwater aquarium lipstick goby is named for the ruby-colored mouth on this nano goby species. Also called the red lips goby, the lipstick goby is wild-caught in small streams and not often seen in the aquarium trade... or beauty contests. These gobies are excellent for nano tanks and planted aquariums; they do not harm fancy shrimp or other invertebrates.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Sicyopus jonklaasi |
| Origin | Sri Lanka |
| Care Level | Moderate (needs clean, oxygen-rich, flowing water) |
| Temperament | Peaceful with other fish; males territorial with each other |
| Adult Size | Up to 1½" |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Diet | Carnivore (small meaty foods) |
| Water Temperature | 72–79°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Group Size | One male with several females |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 1¼" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: These gobies come from clear, fast-flowing island streams. Give them a mature tank with strong current, high oxygen, smooth rocks covered in algae and biofilm, and a tight lid, since they can climb out.
Feeding: These gobies graze on algae off rocks, so they do best in a mature tank. Also feed algae wafers. They may go hungry in a very clean, new tank.
Tankmates: They do well with small, peaceful fish that like cool, flowing water, such as danios, rasboras, hillstream loaches and dwarf shrimp. Males may spar with each other.
Good to know: Stream gobies cling to rocks with a sucker formed by their pelvic fins. Their larvae drift to the sea to develop, so they rarely breed in aquariums.
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