Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
Desert Goby Gold is the gold colour form of Chlamydogobius eremius, a compact Australian goby for hard, alkaline aquariums with sand, rocks and caves.
Chlamydogobius eremius
Desert Goby Gold is the gold colour form of Chlamydogobius eremius, a compact Australian goby for hard, alkaline aquariums with sand, rocks and caves.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Desert Goby Gold is the gold colour form of the Australian Desert Goby, Chlamydogobius eremius. It is a compact, bottom-perching goby with a big personality, best kept in mineral-rich water with sand, rockwork, caves and steady maintenance. The gold form gives the fish a warmer look, but the important care point is the same as the standard Desert Goby: do not keep it in soft, acidic conditions.
This is a hardy fish in the right aquarium, not a generic community fish for every tank. It comes from environments where water can be hard, alkaline and changeable, so it rewards aquarists who understand water chemistry and can provide stable mineral content. In the shop it may be small, but males can become territorial around caves, so plan the layout before the fish arrives.
| Scientific name | Chlamydogobius eremius, gold colour form |
|---|---|
| Common name | Desert Goby Gold, Gold Desert Goby, Australian Desert Goby |
| Family | Gobiidae |
| Adult size | Usually around 4.5-6 cm depending on sex and condition |
| Temperature | 18-28C for aquarium care; avoid sudden swings |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 preferred for long-term maintenance |
| Hardness | Hard, mineral-rich water; avoid soft acidic water |
| Minimum aquarium | 60 litres for a pair or small carefully planned group |
| Temperament | Peaceful with other species, territorial between males and around caves |
| Best for | Hard-water specialist aquariums, small goby displays and species-focused setups |
Desert Gobies are famous for tolerance, but tolerance is not the same as neglect. FishBase records Chlamydogobius eremius from harsh habitats with large natural swings in temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen. Aquarium Glaser also warns that hard water and alkaline pH are preferred for maintenance, and that sudden temperature changes should still be avoided.
For a home aquarium, the practical lesson is clear: give this fish stable hard water, a covered tank, shelter and clean conditions. It can be kept in freshwater if the water is hard and alkaline, and some keepers use lightly brackish conditions, but it should not be put into soft acidic community water just because it looks hardy.
Use sand or smooth fine gravel so the fish can perch and move naturally along the bottom. Add rocks, small caves, half coconut shells, ceramic tubes or slate shelters. Males often choose a cave and defend it, especially when breeding, so provide more shelters than fish if keeping a group.
Moderate filtration is enough. Keep the water clean and oxygenated, but avoid blasting the bottom with strong current. Desert Gobies are perchers and cave users; they should be able to sit on the substrate without being pushed around.
Gobies can jump. A close-fitting lid is part of the setup, especially during the first week, after maintenance or when males are displaying. Block gaps around filter pipes and cable exits.
| Parameter | Recommended target | Care note |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 18-28C | Stable temperature matters more than chasing extremes. |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 preferred | Avoid soft acidic water; alkaline conditions suit this species. |
| Hardness | Hard / mineral-rich | Use appropriate buffering if local water is too soft. |
| Salinity | Fresh hard water to lightly brackish depending on setup | Do not add salt blindly; match the planned aquarium and tank mates. |
| Maintenance | Small regular water changes | Keep chemistry stable and avoid sudden swings. |
Desert Goby Gold is not a fussy showpiece that waits for one special food. It should be offered a varied diet of small sinking foods, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworm in moderation and quality micro pellets. FishBase notes that the species feeds on insects, crustaceans, filamentous algae and detritus in nature, so a varied diet is better than a single food.
| Food type | Use | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen brine shrimp / daphnia | Regular variety food | Good for small mouths and active feeding response. |
| Micro pellets | Prepared staple | Choose sinking or slow-sinking foods. |
| Bloodworm | Occasional treat | Use sparingly to avoid heavy waste. |
| Algae / detritus grazing | Natural background feeding | Helpful, but not enough as the whole diet. |
Desert Goby Gold is peaceful with many non-aggressive fish, but it is not ideal for every community aquarium. The main filter is water chemistry: tank mates must also be happy in hard, alkaline water. Choose peaceful fish that occupy the middle or upper levels and will not steal all the food from the bottom.
| Good choices | Use caution | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-water livebearers, small rainbowfish, snails and peaceful upper-water fish | Robust shrimp, other cave-using gobies, very fast feeders | Soft-water species, aggressive cichlids, predatory fish, fin-nippers and cramped male groups |
This is a very watchable fish. It perches, darts, displays and uses caves. Males may guard a cave or crevice and court females to lay adhesive eggs on the roof or walls. If breeding behaviour appears, keep disturbance low and make sure other fish cannot constantly raid the cave entrance.
A pair can be kept in a compact hard-water display, but a group needs more floor space and multiple shelters. Territorial behaviour is usually localised around chosen caves rather than constant open-water aggression.
Before delivery, check that the aquarium is covered, mineral-rich and already stable. On arrival, acclimate calmly and release near cover. Keep the lights subdued at first and offer a small sinking meal after the fish has had time to settle. Do not make large water-chemistry changes during the first week.
The Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the arrival guidance is followed. The WELCOME10 first-order discount can be used where code terms apply, but the permanent care text stays focused on choosing the fish correctly and keeping it well.
It can be maintained in hard, alkaline freshwater and is tolerant of salinity, but do not add salt without planning the whole aquarium and tank-mate list.
Yes. Hard, alkaline water is the key long-term requirement. Soft acidic water is the most common wrong setup.
Plan for roughly 4.5-6 cm, with males often looking stronger-bodied and more territorial around caves.
Yes, if the community is peaceful and hard-water compatible. It is better in a planned hard-water setup than a random mixed community.
Offer small sinking foods, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, occasional bloodworm and quality micro pellets.
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