{"product_id":"halfbridled-goby","title":"Halfbridled Goby | Arenigobius frenatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Halfbridled Goby is a hardy little Australian burrowing goby with an understated charm, patterned in soft greys and browns with dark bars and a distinctive facial stripe. Native to eastern Australian estuaries, it is a peaceful, sand-dwelling fish that lives in pairs and constructs burrows in the substrate. It stays small at around 11 cm and suits a quiet, cooler-water aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species lives in sheltered bays, estuaries and coastal lagoons along eastern Australia, typically among seagrass beds and mangroves over soft, sandy or muddy bottoms at depths to about 10 m. It is usually found in pairs sharing a burrow. Importantly, it comes from temperate to subtropical water, so it prefers cooler conditions than a tropical reef fish. In the aquarium it needs a soft sand bed for burrowing, some rock or seagrass-style cover, and calm, stable water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is greyish-brown with around eight irregular darker bands along the sides, scattered dark spots, a horizontal stripe running back from the eye over the gill cover, and often a vertical dark bar beneath the eye. It has the typical elongated, tapering goby shape. Healthy specimens sit alertly at the burrow entrance, are quick to dart for food, and show clear eyes and undamaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Halfbridled Goby is peaceful and retiring, spending much of its time near its burrow. It does best in a calm system with other gentle, temperate-tolerant fish and is ideally kept as a male–female pair. It will not bother corals or most invertebrates, though very small shrimp could be seen as food. Avoid boisterous or predatory tank mates that will outcompete or intimidate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a benthic carnivore that feeds on small invertebrates sifted from the substrate. Offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn and other small meaty foods, along with sinking pellets. Feed once or twice daily and ensure it gets its share, as it is a slow, deliberate feeder that can be outcompeted by faster fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 75 L, with 100 L or larger recommended for a pair. This is a temperate to subtropical species, so aim for cooler water around 18–24°C rather than tropical reef temperatures; pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. A deep, soft sand bed is essential for burrowing, and gentle to moderate flow suits it best. A well-fitted lid is wise, as startled gobies can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHalfbridled Gobies form pairs and are substrate spawners that lay eggs within their burrow, which the male guards. While pairing and spawning can occur in a suitable aquarium, rearing the tiny larvae requires specialised planktonic feeding and dedicated setups, so successful captive breeding is uncommon in the general hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArenigobius frenatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalfbridled Goby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Australian estuaries, seagrass beds and mangroves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; small meaty frozen foods and sinking pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24°C (temperate to subtropical)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooler-water marine and temperate species aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (may eat very small shrimp)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful gobies, small temperate-tolerant fish, and calm community species that will not outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or boisterous fish, large predators, and very small ornamental shrimp that may be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148696355,"sku":"BA8797-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148729123,"sku":"BA8797","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148761891,"sku":"BA8797-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/halfbridled-goby-43090650136867.webp?v=1790306134","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/halfbridled-goby","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}