Stiphodon semoni (“Semon’s Neon Goby”)

Imported on October 17, 2025 — shipping begins on October 26, 2025

Important note: These fish are wild-caught, please proceed with caution.

Stiphodon semoni (“Semon’s Neon Goby”)

Stiphodon semoni is a small, rheophilic goby native to clear, fast-flowing mountain streams across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and parts of the western Pacific. Males are strikingly iridescent, showing vibrant blue, green, or turquoise hues across the body and fins, while females remain cryptically patterned in brown and gold for camouflage. Like other Stiphodon species, they spend their early life stages in the ocean before migrating upstream as juveniles — a fascinating amphidromous life cycle. Peaceful, energetic, and algae-grazing, these gobies bring movement and flashes of color to mature, well-oxygenated aquaria.

Size:
Adults typically reach 5–6 cm (≈ 2.0–2.5″) in total length.

Water parameters:
Require clean, oxygen-rich water with steady current.
pH 6.5 – 7.5; GH ≤ 10 °d; KH ≤ 6 °d; TDS < 200 ppm.
Use fine gravel or sand substrate with smooth stones for grazing. Ensure high filtration and frequent water changes to maintain pristine conditions.

Temperature:
22 – 27 °C (72 – 81 °F). Prefer moderate temperatures and stable flow; avoid stagnant or overheated conditions.

Food:
Primarily algivorous, grazing on biofilm and microorganisms. Supplement with high-quality spirulina wafers, algae-based pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, or baby brine shrimp. Avoid overfeeding with protein-heavy diets.

Important note:
Wild-caught specimens require established aquaria with mature biofilm. Sensitive to poor water quality and sudden changes. Stable, oxygenated conditions are essential for long-term success.

Tankmates:
Peaceful and compatible with other small, non-aggressive fish that share similar water movement needs — such as hillstream loaches, danios, or small rasboras. Avoid large, territorial, or slow-moving species that may struggle with strong flow. Maintain at least a small group for natural behavior.