Can Neon Blue Goby and Purple Spotted Gudgeon Live Together?

Neon Blue Goby is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Purple Spotted Gudgeon is moderately assertive (5/10). This modest difference means Purple Spotted Gudgeon may occasionally assert dominance over Neon Blue Goby.

Neon Blue Goby and Purple Spotted Gudgeon both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Two territorial species may clash over territory, especially in smaller tanks. Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

Worth noting: Purple Spotted Gudgeon is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 26°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 24.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 8–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Neon Blue Goby and Purple Spotted Gudgeon together, plan for an aquarium of at least 60 litres with a minimum length of 60 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Established Algae (Otocinclus), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters), Plants - Densely covered, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Neon Blue Goby prefers High (River/Stream) flow while Purple Spotted Gudgeon needs Low (Still Water) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Purple Spotted Gudgeon is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Neon Blue Goby.