Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Violet Goby
Gobioides broussonnetii
Also called Dragon goby, Dragon fish, Peruvian goby, Amblyopus broussonetii (older name)
From Western Atlantic coast of the Americas, from South Carolina through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to southern Brazil, in muddy bays, estuaries and river mouths123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Long, eel-like goby
A long, slender goby that looks more like an eel, with a continuous fin along the back and very small eyes. In good condition it shimmers with an iridescent silver-blue to violet sheen and a pattern of golden blotches. Its rows of teeth look fierce but are mainly used to scrape algae.23
Personality what they are like
Despite its fearsome appearance it is a calm, mostly nocturnal scavenger. It is shy, often hides or burrows by day and is territorial only towards its own kind.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Most active at night, when it sifts through the substrate for food. During the day it likes to rest in burrows, tubes or under wood.23
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs brackish water. Seriously Fish gives 22 to 26 C, pH 7.5 to 9.0, 10 to 25 dGH and a salinity of SG 1.005 to 1.015; Wikipedia suggests about 24 to 26 C (76 to 78 F) and at least one sixth seawater strength. Because it sees poorly, make sure food reaches it.32
Home where they are happiest
A big fish that needs a big tank: Seriously Fish recommends at least 432 litres with a 120 x 60 cm base, and Wikipedia at least four feet long. Provide several inches of soft sand or silt for burrowing, plus bogwood, smooth rocks and tubes for shelter.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
In the wild it grazes on filamentous algae and detritus. In captivity offer algae wafers, spirulina and other vegetable foods along with frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and similar foods; plant matter should always be part of the diet.32
Company who they like around
Not suited to a busy community tank. It can live with other peaceful brackish fish but is best kept as a single specimen unless the tank is very large.32
The story where it all began
Lacepède described the species in 1800 under the name Amblyopus broussonetii. It is the largest goby in the Caribbean region and has become a popular oddity in the aquarium trade, where it is usually sold as the dragon goby.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the largest goby in the Caribbean and the only one there with such an eel-like body.1
- 2
Its eyes are so small that it is almost blind and finds food mainly by other senses.2
- 3
Its menacing-looking teeth are used to scrape algae off rocks, not to fight.2
- 4
Shop specimens are usually only 8 to 13 cm long, but wild adults can reach around 60 cm.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2019)1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Violet Goby. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkBrackish fish need a little marine salt, and some need more as they growevery week
- Water changeAbout 25% of the water, mixed to the same salinityevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Gobioides broussonnetii, Violet goby fishbase.seused for size, environment, temperature range, distribution, IUCN status, describer, fun fact
- Wikipedia: Gobioides broussonnetii en.wikipedia.orgused for appearance, behaviour, diet, aquarium needs, history, fun facts
- Seriously Fish: Gobioides broussonnetii seriouslyfish.comused for other names, water parameters, tank size, diet, compatibility
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.