Koumansetta hectori – Hector’s Goby
The scientific name of the fish species is Koumansetta hectori. JLB Smith first described it in 1957. The Dutch name for this fish is Hector’s goby. Koumansetta hectori belongs to the family Gobiidae, also known as the gobies.
The genus name “Koumansetta” is a tribute to goby taxonomist Frederik Petrus Koumans (1905-1977) of the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden, the Netherlands. The suffix “-etta” is a diminutive of endearment. Whitley named the genus after Koumans because he was unable to continue his correspondence with Koumans due to the circumstances of World War II, and he wanted to honor the memories of their meetings in Leiden and Sydney.
The species name “hectori” honors Gordon Hector (1918-2001), who was Chief Secretary to the Seychelles Government. He was honored for the “great assistance” he gave to Smith’s work in and around the Seychelles.
Many aquarists know this fish as Ambylgobius hectori, which is one of its two synonyms:
- Seychellea hectori (Smith, 1957)
- Amblygobius hectori (Smith, 1957)
Description
Koumansetta hectori is a small, attractive fish species commonly kept in aquariums. This fish has a slender and elongated body, ideal for living in coral reefs and sheltered bays.
The head and sides of the fish feature vibrant yellow stripes that stand out against the dark base color of its body. These stripes contribute to the fish’s distinctive and appealing appearance. It also displays several specific markings, including a broad reddish-brown band on the second dorsal fin, which is bordered with yellow and has a black ocellus at its base. Additionally, the anal fin has gray membranes with a narrow, pale blue border at the rear.
The fins are mostly translucent, with the dorsal and anal fins displaying distinct color patterns as described earlier. The caudal fin features a curved white stripe at its base, while the remainder of the fin remains transparent.
This fish species reaches a maximum length of about 8.5 centimeters.
Differences between Males and Females
There is no specific information available about the physical differences between males and females of Koumansetta hectori. In general, in many fish species, males and females can differ in size, color intensity or fin length, but such details are not specifically mentioned for this species.
Behavior and Temperament
Koumansetta hectori is known for its peaceful nature and typically swims alone, hovering just above the sandy bottom of the reef. This species is generally non-aggressive and coexists well with other peaceful fish. However, it is important to avoid keeping it with fast or aggressive species in the same tank.
They are solitary and not shy, but they can be sensitive to transportation and acclimatization to a new environment.
Biotope
Hector’s goby is native to the Indo-West Pacific region, specifically in the countries of Seychelles, Fiji, Japan, New Caledonia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Taiwan, and the Maldives.
This species of fish inhabits sheltered bays and reefs. They are typically found at depths ranging from 3 to 30 meters, but are most commonly encountered at 5 to 20 meters deep. These fish often hover just above the sandy bottoms of coral reefs, frequently located in areas of fine rubble that are shaded by large live corals.
Koumansetta hectori is found in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. They inhabit specific bodies of water, including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the South China Sea, the Sulu-Celebes Sea, Panay Gulf, Tañon Strait, and Tawi Tawi Bay.
Diet
In an aquarium environment, you should try to imitate the natural diet of Koumansetta hectori as closely as possible. Suitable foods are: Algae (especially filamentous algae), Amphipods, Copepods, Mysis shrimp, Artemia, Daphnia, Cyclops, Fish eggs, Plankton, Zooplankton.
While some individuals may tolerate dry food, it is crucial to avoid making it the cornerstone of their diet, as it lacks essential nutrients.
The Aquarium
To keep Koumansetta hectori, it is recommended to have an aquarium of at least 100 liters. If you wish to maintain multiple pairs, the aquarium should be considerably larger, preferably 200 liters or more.
To create a suitable environment for the fish, the aquarium should be equipped with plenty of hiding places and structures that resemble their natural habitat. This includes rocks and coral formations, which offer shade and shelter, essential for the fish’s well-being. These materials are reef-safe and will not harm the coral. The best substrate for this species is fine sand or fine rubble, as it mimics their natural environment and facilitates food foraging.
The best water parameters for Koumansetta hectori in the aquarium are a temperature between 22°C and 28°C. A pH between 8.2 and 8.4 and a nitrate level below 50 mg/L to keep the water quality high.
Koumansetta hectori can live well with other peaceful reef fish. Suitable tankmates include Clownfish (Amphiprioninae), Blennies (Blennioidei), Cardinalfish (Apogonidae), Peaceful Wrasses (Labridae) and Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae).
Avoid keeping Koumansetta hectori with aggressive or territorial fish such as Triggerfish (Balistidae), Large Angelfish (Pomacanthidae) and large predatory fish.
Conclusion
Koumansetta hectori, also known as Hector’s goby, is a small, attractive fish species that is often kept in aquariums. This fish species is native to the Indo-West Pacific region, including countries such as Seychelles, Fiji, Japan, New Caledonia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Taiwan, and the Maldives. They inhabit sheltered coral reefs and sandy bottoms, feeding on small invertebrates and algae.
To keep Koumansetta hectori in an aquarium, it is recommended to have a minimum tank size of 100 liters, with 200 liters or more preferred if you plan to keep multiple pairs. The aquarium should be equipped with rock and coral structures, and the ideal substrate is fine sand or rubble. The optimal water conditions include a temperature range of 22°C to 28°C, a pH level between 8.2 and 8.4, and a nitrate level below 50 mg/L. Koumansetta hectori is a peaceful fish that coexists well with other calm reef fish; however, it is best to avoid keeping them with aggressive or territorial species.
Video
Author
John de Lange
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