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Fish · Freshwater

Bumblebee goby

Brachygobius doriae

Bumblebee goby is a popular community aquarium fish.
D
Difficulty
Beginner
A
Aggression
4/10
G
Schooling
Yes
T
Size
5.00 cm
L
Minimum volume
40 L
º
Temperature
22.0-28.0 ºC
Z
Zone
Bottom
V
Lifespan
5 years

Quick profile scan

fish
Territoriality Medium
Aggression 4/10
Activity Slow
Thermal sensitivity Medium
Bioload Low
Speed Slow
Predation risk Opportunistic

Expert calculator

Check whether this species fits your aquarium

Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.

Check compatibility
Expert read

Quick verdict

A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.

Best for

Aquariums where its role fits: predator.

Avoid

Mixes marked as high risk or not recommended in manual relationships.

Compatible with

Has positive or conditional references with species such as Nerite snail.

Typical risk

Stability depends on temperature, group size, and real compatibility.

Aquarium zone

Where it lives best

Surface
Midwater
Bottom primary

Quick compatibility

Community signals

Shrimp
High risk
Snails
Conditional
Slow fish
Compatible
Aggressive fish
Conditional
Small fish
Conditional
Large fish
Compatible
Delicate plants
Conditional
Buying decision

Before buying Bumblebee goby

Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.

L

Adult volume

Make sure your aquarium is above 40 L before buying it.

G

Minimum group

Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.

Parameters

Water conditions

pH
6.5 - 7.5
GH
5 - 15
KH
3 - 10
Temperature
22.0 - 28.0 ºC

Growth and behavior

Juvenile to adult

Juvenile
Juveniles may look more tolerant, but they already show exploratory and opportunistic behavior. Plan the community around adult size, not only the young stage.
Shift
The transition to adulthood usually brings more stable behavior when group size, space and parameters are suitable.
Adult
As an adult it strongly shapes the community through size, mouth capacity and feeding behavior. It should only be kept with robust, proportionate species and enough space.

Ecological profile

Role and biological pressure

Predator Community Fish Small Low Moderate Opportunistic
Profile: predatory species, with low bioload and primary use of the bottom. It can adapt to calm communities, although it usually behaves better with compatible companions. It may show opportunistic predation toward fry or very small animals.

Ecological radar

profile
Territoriality 52%
Aggression 40%
Activity 24%
Thermal sensitivity 52%
Bioload 24%

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.

Keeping too few individuals for a social species.

Relations

Compatible with

N

Nerite snail

Conditional
WMain risk: Water parameters Review conditions

Brachygobius doriae + Neritina natalensis: one species requires or does better in brackish conditions, unlike a standard freshwater community.

Relations

Avoid keeping with

Guppy

High risk
WMain risk: Water parameters High risk

Brachygobius doriae + Poecilia Reticulata: one species requires or does better in brackish conditions, unlike a standard freshwater community.

C

Cherry shrimp

High risk
WMain risk: Water parameters High risk

Brachygobius doriae + Neocaridina davidi: one species requires or does better in brackish conditions, unlike a standard freshwater community.

Care

Essential care

Keep in groups of at least 6 specimens. It prefers tanks with open swimming space, some current and weekly water changes.
Daily time
10 min
Life cycle

Breeding

It is an egg-laying fish and relatively easy to breed. It scatters eggs among plants or over the substrate and provides no parental care.
Oviparous Easy

Hembras más redondeadas y robustas. Machos más esbeltos y algo más amarillentos.

Monitoring

Alerts and health

  • Mantener en grupo
  • Espacio para nadar
  • Acuario tapado
  • Corriente suave a moderada

Common issues

Ich Podredumbre de aletas Parásitos externos
Expert notes

Interesting details

01

Es una de las especies más usadas en investigación biomédica

02

Sus rayas permanecen visibles durante toda la vida

03

Es un pez muy activo y gregario

Editorial confidence

Last review: June 2026

Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.

Profile data Ecological profile Manual relationships General aquarium observation