Discordipinna spikefin goby, video of unique, fin-flaring behavior

By Jake Adams on Oct 06, 2010

Discordipinna griessengeri, the spikefin goby, is an amazing diminutive reef fish which many people know about, but few have really gotten to know what makes this species (and the genus) so fascinating. Topping the scale at just about one inch for the largest honkin specimens if you account for it’s personality, the spikefin goby is one of those fish which even gets lost in medium sized nano reef tanks. To truly appreciate Discordipinna species, you really should keep them in the smallest nano or pico reef tank with no other fish tank mates.

The spikefin goby is not only cool looking, it also has an amazing behavior of fin flaring which reminds us of the dances of both the harlequin shrimp, and the twinspot goby, Signigobius biocellatus. Instead of describing the fin-flare-dance behavior, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up several videos of said display phenomenon so you can see for yourself how remarkable this display is. Many more videos of this stunning behavior after the jump.

jake

I’ve got one of those Discordipinna living under a rock in my inline LPS refugium. At least I think it’s still there.

It’s a very secretive fish that only shows itself once every few weeks, but it’s so damn cool looking when it does, it’s well worth the wait. Barely 1″ long.
jake

I’ve got one of those Discordipinna living under a rock in my inline LPS refugium. At least I think it’s still there.

It’s a very secretive fish that only shows itself once every few weeks, but it’s so damn cool looking when it does, it’s well worth the wait. Barely 1″ long.
Clay Terrell

This fish has fascinated me ever since it came onto the import scene a few years ago. However, I was afraid it would not do well in one of my larger reef tanks. I currently have one on order from RHS for my 6 gallon pico reef. Evidently, the common name is a bit of a misnomer since it has not been seen to form a symbiotic pairing with a pistol shrimp. Here is more reading for anyone interested in thisspecies:

http://www.aqualog.de/news/news_pdfen/news74e.pdf

Thanks for covering such a unique fish.
Clay Terrell

This fish has fascinated me ever since it came onto the import scene a few years ago. However, I was afraid it would not do well in one of my larger reef tanks. I currently have one on order from RHS for my 6 gallon pico reef. Evidently, the common name is a bit of a misnomer since it has not been seen to form a symbiotic pairing with a pistol shrimp. Here is more reading for anyone interested in thisspecies:

http://www.aqualog.de/news/news_pdfen/news74e.pdf

Thanks for covering such a unique fish.
jeff

i have one of these. dont see it very often but i think its still in my tank.
jeff

i have one of these. dont see it very often but i think its still in my tank.
animalmaster6

These gobies are incredible.

If any of you are interested in the Discordipinna sp in the second video there is a bit of info here http://gobyfrontiers.org/gf/eg-185.htm Just basicly a picture though. Do you think these will ever come into the hobby Jake?

I love Flaming Prawns though, the colors are amazing!!
animalmaster6

These gobies are incredible.

If any of you are interested in the Discordipinna sp in the second video there is a bit of info here http://gobyfrontiers.org/gf/eg-185.htm Just basicly a picture though. Do you think these will ever come into the hobby Jake?

I love Flaming Prawns though, the colors are amazing!!
http://reefbuilders.com Jake Adams

AnimalMaster, i do think we’ll see Discordipinna sp. 1 in time, but I don’t know when fish collectors will make it to those parts of Southern Japan/Guam/Palau where the funky spikefin gobies are found.
http://reefbuilders.com Jake Adams

AnimalMaster, i do think we’ll see Discordipinna sp. 1 in time, but I don’t know when fish collectors will make it to those parts of Southern Japan/Guam/Palau where the funky spikefin gobies are found.
animalmaster6

I agree. I’m not sure how that species might adapt to captivity anyway.

There are a lot of exciting gobies in that area. The shrimp gobies there look awesome.
animalmaster6

I agree. I’m not sure how that species might adapt to captivity anyway.

There are a lot of exciting gobies in that area. The shrimp gobies there look awesome.

Related posts: