Spot Tail Hovegoby - Ptereleotris heteroptera

Spot Tail Hovegoby (Ptereleotris heteroptera)

The Spot Tail Hovegoby is an elegant and peaceful marine fish recognised for its slender body, subtle blue-green colouration and distinctive dark marking towards the tail. Graceful and active in open water, it makes an attractive addition to calm reef and community aquariums. This species is best kept with peaceful tankmates, secure rockwork and a tightly fitted lid due to its strong jumping ability.

Common Name:
Spot Tail Hovegoby

Scientific Name (Latin):
Ptereleotris heteroptera

Maximum Size:
Approximately 12–14 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Spot Tail Hovegoby occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments and is commonly associated with sandy areas, rubble zones, lagoons and reef margins.

It typically remains close to secure holes or crevices that can be used as shelter when threatened.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Spot Tail Hovegoby is a gentle species that is best kept with similarly peaceful marine fish.

It can be nervous when first introduced and may remain close to shelter until it becomes accustomed to its surroundings.

Avoid aggressive or highly territorial tankmates that may prevent it from feeding or force it into constant hiding.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

The Spot Tail Hovegoby feeds primarily on small planktonic organisms and tiny crustaceans.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and appropriately sized marine pellets.

Several small meals throughout the day are preferable to one large feeding.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 150 litres

Provide a reasonable amount of open swimming space together with rockwork and secure hiding areas.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Spot Tail Hovegoby is an active midwater species that often hovers above the substrate while scanning its surroundings for food.

When alarmed, it quickly retreats into nearby holes or crevices.

It may become considerably more confident once established and can make an attractive open-water display in a peaceful marine aquarium.

A tightly fitted lid is essential, as this species is an accomplished jumper.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Spot Tail Hovegoby is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its peaceful behaviour makes it particularly suitable for mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, secure rockwork and access to sheltered holes or caves.

Open swimming room should also be available, as this species spends a significant amount of time hovering above the substrate and reef structure.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid covering all openings is essential.

Avoid aggressive wrasses, dottybacks, large hawkfish and other highly territorial species that may intimidate it.

Newly introduced specimens may be shy and should be monitored to ensure they receive enough food.

Regular small feedings and peaceful surroundings help maintain healthy body condition and natural activity.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.