Description
Knight Goby
Scientific Name: Stigmatogobius sadanundio
Common Names: Knight Goby, Knight Sleeper Goby, Archer Goby
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Gobiiformes
Origin: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Size: 8 – 10 cm (3 – 4 inches)
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Tank Zone: Bottom to mid-level
🌊 Water Parameters
Temperature: 24 – 28°C
pH: 7.2 – 8.5 (prefers slightly brackish)
Hardness: Moderate to hard
TDS: 200 – 450 ppm
Salinity: Light brackish recommended (1.003 – 1.008 SG)
🐟 Characteristics
Body Shape: Slender, elongated body with a slightly upturned mouth.
Coloration: Silver-grey body with dark knight-like spots along the sides.
Pattern: Bold black spots and a mask-like facial marking.
Eyes: Large, alert, forward-facing.
Behavior: Semi-aggressive, active hunter, quick movements.
Special Feature: Shows best color in brackish water with dim lighting.
🍽️ Diet
Type: Carnivorous
Preferred Foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, tubifex, small feeders, carnivore pellets
Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily
Tip: Mix live and frozen foods for best health and color.
🛠️ Tank Setup & Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 60 liters (2 ft) for a pair
Decor: Rocks, mangrove roots, caves, hiding spots
Substrate: Sand
Lighting: Low to moderate
Filtration: Strong, stable filtration (brackish tanks need good bio-filter)
Water Change: 20–30% weekly
👥 Social Behavior
Nature: Semi-aggressive
Tank Mates (Brackish Compatible): Mollies, Bumblebee Gobies, Orange Chromide, Glassfish, Juvenile Scats, Juvenile Archerfish
Avoid: Shrimp, nano fish, slow long-finned species
Schooling: Best kept in pairs or small groups with hiding spaces
✔️ Compatible Species
• Mollies
• Bumblebee Goby
• Orange Chromide
• Glassfish
• Juvenile Scats
• Juvenile Archerfish
⭐ Quick Tip
Knight Gobies show their best patterns and behavior in light brackish water with sandy substrate and shaded hiding areas. A perfect active goby for semi-brackish community tanks.
