One of Australia's prettiest Natives fish

[northboy]

Today I went to Cape Tribulation to take some under water Video, I did not check my gear the night before so Murphy stepped in DAM, 2 of my 4 cameras failed or had issues (my fault). So I was stuck taking stills and wouldn't you know it the fish were on the best behaviour today.

They are Stiphodon Gobi's and the males were sparing and courting females, Not full colour yet so i have a chance to redeem my self.

There is 2 other Stiphodon and 2 Sicyopterus species in this creek to as well as Fresh water Damselfish.

Here is a couple of the photos.

I will get more up in the future as i take them, These fish go fluro red when they are on fire.

Enjoy Bob

[Jess]

Wow, gorgeous photos Bob! The middle photo is especially great, their colours are beautiful :)

[wayne6442]

Wow Bob, lovely little fish. How big do they grow??

[Loach]

Beautiful fish there Bob :)

[northboy]

They get to 7cm and are a Algae eater, there is better species but I will have to put in the hard yards to get some photos of them.

The photo has not done them Justus, intensify that photo by 4 and you will have it, They are bold to after we had sat there about 5 minutes they came up to us. The biggest problem was the Mangrove Jacks and Jungle perch getting in the was, you would coach the Gobi's into the right spot and a Jack or JP would come in for a sticky and move the Gobi away.

Bob

[wayne6442]

I googled them last night, and I see that they have been placed on the endangered list last year. Pitty that there is problems in feeding and breeding them in captivity it would be great to be able to establish a captive population for the future.

[bailey88]

Wow what an amazing share bob

[northboy]

That one is not on the list yet and most likely wont be, Seminii (spelling) ex alleni is on the list, Brendon is trying to add all the Stiphodon to the list but he is hitting a brick wall, they are a group of fish I think if you put the time into you will be able to produce them and it is some thing I would like to play with after Neritina snails and Fresh water Morays and pipe fish and fresh water sole and yes it goes on and on, there is just to many goodies up here

[wayne6442]

Hi Bob ,i would be interested in giving them a go, If ever you have some let me know and I will set up a tank for them only.

[fishmosy]

Fantastic fish Bob, these are a little known group that ought to be more widespread in the hobby.

[northboy]

I agree, the one that was Allenii and is now Seminii can be purple, green or blue and changes in a flash OH and that one is protected DAM.