Stiphodon Orange Fin Goby

The Stiphodon Orange Fin Goby is a trade or collection name for a Stiphodon species characterised by males bearing striking orange to vivid yellow-orange coloured dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins contrasting against a blue-grey to charcoal body with iridescent scale highlights. Collected from fast-flowing, clear streams in the Philippines or Indonesian islands, it is an amphidromous species completing its larval phase in the sea before ascending freshwater rivers. Like all Stiphodon, it is an obligate biofilm and periphyton grazer, using its specialised oral disc to scrape nutrition from rock surfaces. Males display prominently toward each other with erect fins and colour intensification but rarely make physical contact. It is one of the most visually distinctive Stiphodon variants in the hobby and commands high prices due to limited availability. A challenging but rewarding species for the experienced hillstream aquarist.

Water: 22–26 °C, pH 7.0–7.8, GH 5–15, KH 3–10; very high flow and dissolved oxygen; nitrate below 15 ppm. Tank: 60 L minimum; smooth river cobble and flat stones; mature algae and diatom biofilm on rock surfaces essential. Feeding: Obligate aufwuchs grazer; spirulina wafers, Repashy gel foods, blanched courgette; will not thrive on protein diets. Breeding: Amphidromous; larvae are marine; breeding not achievable in standard home aquaria. Compatibility: Peaceful; best with other hillstream stream gobies; avoid species that out-compete for biofilm.