Signigobius biocellatus

[alexander_ktn]

Hi!

I have a pair of Signigobius biocellatus (two-spot gobies) that has bred for the first time in the last couple of days. :bounce1: (One of them stayed in the burrow for days, the other one closed it up and guarded it).

I couldn't find anything about catching and rearing the larvae - has this been done before?

I didn't see the release of the larvae (if there were any), but if there is a good chance of rearing them, I'd be willing to sit in front of the tank more the next time they breed.

Thanks, cheers, Alex

 

[eco-tropic]

Hi Alex,

Not a lot of info out there on these guys. This is just a guess, but it would seem that two-spots would have a 5 - 10 day gestation period and that the male might release the fry right after lights out. Next time you see spawning activity maybe try to flash light a corner of the tank after lights out every night? Turn off all your filters/pumps and see if the larvae are attracted to the light. You could gingerly pan them out transfering into a rearing tank and have a go at raising them.

 

[snorvich]

Wow! Keep us posted. I have never heard of these breeding in captivity.

 

[eco-tropic]

Hey Alex,

Some additional info for you to consider and perhaps draw inference from. Elacatinus puncticulatus or the Redhead Goby spawns on a 7 day cycle producing ~250 eggs. The male will tend the clutch in the burrow. Hatching occurs on the 6th night after spawning. The general rule for culture would be to entice the fish to spawn in an artificial burrow made from PVC so it could be transferred just prior to hatching. Since you don't have this in place you can always go the the power off - flash light on method.

Also:
"When rearing it is recommended to use a round enclosure with black sides. Greenwater should be added to the rearing tank just enough to slightly tint the rearing tank water. Rotifers should be offered at 10/mL density until day 20. Start newly hatched brine at 15 days." Best of luck and keep us informed - this is great.

 

[alexander_ktn]

Thanks a lot for the replies, hints and tips!

They haven't spawned again yet, maybe because I cut down a bit on feeding lobster eggs and fish roe due to high phosphates...

If/when they spawn again I will try the collection method you described, because if the larvae might really be reared on rotifers and brine shrimp nauplii it's definitely worth a shot. Would be cool to have tank raised two spots.

If I catch any larvae I'll of course also try to photograph them and document everything.

Cheers, Alex

 

[eco-tropic]

Yes! Please do it... and when you have success please share your observations with this community and well as one of the breeder registries. Any knowledge will continue to build for the future when wild stocks becoming increasingly unavailable. I am so stoked to see you succeed!