Blue Gudgeon Goby - Ptereleotris heteroptera

Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 5" 
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Ptereleotridae   • Species: Dartfish   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

Blue Gudgeon Dartfish aka pearly gudgeon are an attractive and slender species endemic to tropical reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish generally have an aquamarine to gray-blue base coloration with a black, horizontal blotch at the end of the caudal fin; there are usually yellow-hued areas just above and below the caudal blotch. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish are extremely peaceful and are known to be rather shy at times, although they are a social species that prefers to live in small groups. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish often dart around in the water column while searching for plankton, but they also like to spend their time weaving in and out of rockwork. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish are an active species that make excellent reef inhabitants and they are a great choice for hobbyists of any experience level. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish were once considered to be rare within the hobby, but have since become a lot more popular and more readily available.

Blue Gudgeon Dartfish require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and should be provided with a sand to crushed coral substrate, open swimming space, and and plenty of live rock for play and shelter. They will sometimes jump if started and their aquarium should be equipped with a sealed hood or tight fitting top. They should be housed in an established system, utilizing quality biological and mechanical filtration as well as a protein skimmer. They would benefit from a colonized refugium where they could have a constant supply of fresh amphipods and copepods in addition to other live zooplankton treats. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish are a very peaceful and active species that can be observed swimming at the mid to bottom levels of the aquarium as they dart around looking for planktonic snacks within the water column; they also enjoy hovering above substrate and weaving through rockwork while continuing their quest for zooplankton.

They prefer to be in groups of 2-4 (conspecifics should be added at the same time) and will generally stay close to each other and swim together. A variety of heterospecific tank mates are suitable, but they should be similarly peaceful and must not be a species that will harass or bully the Blue Gudgeon Dartfish. They are completely reef compatible and make an excellent choice for a "nano" system as well as a much larger reef setup.