Dragon Goby

Also known as Violet Goby, Dragon Fish Goby

The Dragon Goby is an elongated, eel-like goby native to brackish estuaries and coastal waters of the Atlantic, known for its unusual look and bottom dwelling, sifting behavior. Its metallic or violetish body and long shape give it a “dragon like” appearance. It is a unique addition for hobbyists prepared to maintain brackish or mesohaline conditions and appropriate substrate, not a typical reef goby.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Gobioides broussonnetii
• Common Names: Dragon Goby, Violet Goby, Dragon Fish Goby
• Adult Size: Up to ~12–15 inches (≈ 30–38 cm) in captivity; wild individuals may reach ~20–24 inches (≈ 50–60 cm)
• Lifespan: 6–10 years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful scavenger; may be territorial to own kind, especially bottom dwellers
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef safe requires brackish or low salinity environment; unsuitable for typical marine reef tanks.
• Minimum Tank Size: Large elongated tank, at least 55 gallons (≈ 200 L) or larger, ideally 4 ft+ length to accommodate its adult size and bottom dwelling nature
• Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced special care needed for water salinity, substrate, feeding; not suited for beginners expecting a standard marine goby.

Habitat and Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Coastal estuaries, mangroves, river mouths, brackish waters along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Brazil. Prefers muddy or sandy substrates where it can bury or sift.

Tank Environment:

• Use soft fine sand or silt substrate, deep enough to allow burrowing or partial burying.
• Providing a long, low height tank rather than a tall tank elongated body needs horizontal space.
  Moderate water flow; avoid strong currents to allow sifting behavior.
• Maintain brackish water (~1.005–1.010 sg).

Water Parameters (for brackish setup):

• Temperature: 72–78 °F (≈ 22–26 °C)
• Salinity: ~1.005–1.010 sg (brackish)
• pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (≈ 7.0–8.2)

Diet and Feeding

Dragon Gobies are omnivorous detritus and scavenger feeders. In captivity they accept:

• Frozen or live meaty foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, tubifex, small crustaceans, sinking carnivore pellets
• Algae based or vegetable food (spirulina flakes, algae wafers)
• Feeding schedule: small meals daily or every other day; because of poor eyesight they may need food placed close to substrate or near mouth for detection.

Behavior and Compatibility

• Nocturnal or crepuscular activity hides during the day, active at night or low light.
• Bottom dwelling, burrowing or sifting in substrate; avoids open water swimming.
• Peaceful with other non aggressive brackish fish; may be territorial toward the same species if space insufficient.

Acclimation and Care Tips

• Must be kept in brackish water ~1.005–1.010 sg salinity.
• Use fine sand substrate; avoid gravel or coarse substrate.
• Provide dim lighting or shaded hiding places.
• Ensure good filtration and regular maintenance sensitive to poor water quality.

Signs of Healthy Specimen

• Burrowing or sifting behavior in substrate.
• Smooth, intact body; no abrasions or wounds.
• Responsive to food offered.
• Maintains body weight and growth.

Color and Development

• Body coloration ranges from grey brown to violet or silvery blue under good conditions.
• Adult length in captivity commonly 12–15 inches; some may grow larger depending on tank size and conditions.

Anemone Hosting / Coral Interaction Behavior

Not an anemone or reef compatible species. Requires brackish water unsuitable for reef aquariums.

Special Considerations

• Requires brackish water and a large horizontal tank.
• Poor eyesight feeding must be carefully managed.
• Potential mouth injuries if the substrate is too coarse.
• Territorial towards own kind single or carefully matched pair recommended.

Breeding Potential

Breeding of Dragon Goby in home aquariums is rarely observed. They have specialized needs (brackish environment, soft substrate, low light, proper group dynamics), making captive breeding a challenge.

Why Choose a Quarantined Dragon Goby?

A quarantined Dragon Goby ensures the fish is free from parasites or pathogens before introduction to your brackish setup. It also helps acclimate the fish to prepared diets and stabilise health. Considering their specialized care needs, starting with a healthy, well‑acclimated specimen significantly improves chances of long‑term survival and adaptation.