White-Cheeked Goby (Hong Kong Goby) – Rhinogobius duospilus

The White-Cheeked Goby (Rhinogobius duospilus), also known as the Hong Kong Goby, is a small East Asian freshwater stream goby known for its interesting bottom-dwelling behavior, attractive markings, and colorful mature males.

Males may develop stronger red-to-orange coloration around the cheeks, throat, body, and fins as they mature, while females generally display more subtle coloration.

This listing is for White-Cheeked Gobies approximately 3 cm / 1.2 in in current size.

Scientific Name: Rhinogobius duospilus
Common Names: White-Cheeked Goby / Whitecheek Goby / Hong Kong Goby
Family: Gobiidae
Origin: Southern China / Hong Kong
Current Size: Approximately 3 cm / 1.2 in
Adult Size: Approximately 5–6 cm / 2–2.4 in
Temperament: Semi-Peaceful / Territorial with Similar Gobies
Care Level: Intermediate
Swimming Level: Bottom
Water Type: Freshwater

Aquarium Recommendation

White-Cheeked Gobies naturally inhabit clear, flowing freshwater streams and perform best in an aquarium that provides clean, highly oxygenated water with moderate current.

A stream-style setup is ideal and may include:

• Fine sand or rounded gravel
• Smooth rocks and flat stones
• Driftwood
• Caves and sheltered areas
• Moderate water movement
• Strong filtration
• High oxygenation

Provide multiple hiding and territorial areas when keeping more than one goby.

A secure aquarium lid is strongly recommended, as small stream gobies may jump.

Water Parameters

Temperature: Approximately 59–77°F / 15–25°C
pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
Flow: Moderate to Strong
Filtration: Strong
Oxygenation: High

Clean, stable, well-oxygenated water is especially important for this species.

Regular partial water changes are recommended.

Feeding

White-Cheeked Gobies are small predatory feeders and do best on a varied protein-rich diet.

Recommended foods include:

• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Mysis shrimp
• Cyclops
• Small live foods
• High-quality small sinking carnivore foods

Some individuals may show a stronger preference for frozen or live foods, particularly while acclimating.

Tank Mates

Best kept with peaceful or semi-peaceful freshwater species that appreciate similar cool, oxygen-rich stream conditions.

Avoid:

• Large predatory fish
• Aggressive bottom dwellers
• Very slow-moving fish
• Species requiring very warm, stagnant water

Males may become territorial toward other gobies, particularly as they mature. Providing multiple rocks, caves, and visual barriers helps reduce territorial conflict.

Male & Female Appearance

Mature males may develop:

• Stronger red-to-orange cheek and throat coloration
• More pronounced body markings
• Brighter fin coloration
• More noticeable dorsal fin development

Females generally display more subdued coloration and less pronounced fin development.

Individual Appearance

White-Cheeked Gobies may naturally vary in:

• Body coloration
• Cheek and throat coloration
• Body markings
• Fin coloration
• Fin development
• Sex
• Body shape
• Exact size

Color intensity may also change depending on maturity, sex, lighting, environment, stress level, and acclimation.

Please Note: Product photos and videos are real photos of fish from RJ AQUA stock and are representative of the fish offered for sale. This is not an individually numbered specimen listing. The actual fish shipped may naturally vary in coloration, markings, fin development, body shape, sex, and exact size from the fish shown.