{"product_id":"golden-red-goby","title":"Golden Red Goby","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eGolden Red Goby\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGolden Red Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eStiphodon cf. rutilaureus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a stunning hillstream goby from the fast-flowing coastal streams of the tropical Pacific. Males display rich golden to red-orange coloration — the 'cf.' designation indicates the trade fish is close to \u003cem\u003eS. rutilaureus\u003c\/em\u003e but may represent an undescribed or closely related form. Like all \u003cem\u003eStiphodon\u003c\/em\u003e, this species is a specialized algae and biofilm grazer with a remarkable life history — adults live in freshwater streams but larvae develop in the ocean before migrating back upstream, sometimes climbing waterfalls with suction-cup pelvic fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLive algae and biofilm\u003c\/strong\u003e growing on rocks and glass are the primary and most important food source — this fish cannot be kept without established algae growth in the aquarium. Supplement with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/strong\u003e placed directly on rocks and blanched zucchini or spinach. \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e can be offered very sparingly. Pristine, well-oxygenated water with good flow is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#fce4d6;border:1px solid #f4b183;padding:14px 18px;color:#7b2000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠ Algae Requirement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Like Otocinclus catfish, Stiphodon gobies are specialized algae and biofilm grazers that \u003cstrong\u003ecannot survive without established live algae growing on rocks, glass, and hardscape.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tank without significant algae and biofilm growth will not sustain these fish regardless of supplemental feeding. Allow algae to establish thoroughly before adding Stiphodon. Hikari Mini Algae Wafers placed directly on rocks supplement but do not replace live algae growth. Blanched zucchini or spinach on rocks provides additional plant matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eStiphodon gobies inhabit clear, fast-flowing, well-oxygenated hillstreams with rocky substrate covered in algae and biofilm. The aquarium should replicate these conditions: strong filtration, good water movement, rocky substrate and hardscape with established algae growth, and pristine water quality. These fish are sensitive to elevated nitrates and should never be added to immature aquariums. Males are territorial with each other but peaceful with other species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote on Breeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stiphodon gobies have an amphidromous life cycle — adults live and spawn in freshwater streams, but the newly hatched larvae drift downstream to the ocean where they spend the first weeks developing in marine conditions before migrating back upstream into fresh water. This remarkable journey sometimes involves climbing waterfalls using their modified pelvic fins as suction cups. Captive breeding is not possible due to this marine larval stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eMale golden red gobies are among the most colorful small freshwater fish available — and the contrast between the spectacular males and cryptic females is one of the most dramatic examples of sexual dimorphism in freshwater fish. A well-set-up hillstream aquarium with established algae growth and a small group of these gobies is a genuinely extraordinary display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — males territorial with each other\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1.75 inches (4.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1 male to 2+ females — small group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e72–82°F (22–28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e4–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e2–8 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLive algae and biofilm (on rocks and glass); Hikari Mini Algae Wafers placed on rocks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eBlanched zucchini or spinach placed on rocks; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp very sparingly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIndonesia and surrounding western Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ecf. designation — trade fish close to S. rutilaureus, possibly undescribed form. Rich golden-red male coloration. Amphidromous. Tight lid essential. Stiphodon gobies are expert climbers — a tight-fitting lid is essential.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50355155566903,"sku":"Stiphodon cf. rutilaureus","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/golden-red-goby","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}